21st Century Protest Music & Opinions on Robyn

guthrie

Jim and Greg discuss the impact of protest music in the 21st century and name a few of their favorite tracks from the genre from the last 18 years. They also review Robyn's new album, Honey, and Greg chooses a favorite song to add to the Desert Island Jukebox.

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Honey Robyn

robyn

Swedish pop singer Robyn has returned after an eight year hiatus with her new album, Honey. Her previous three records (Body Talk Pt. 1, Body Talk Pt. 2 and Body Talk) established her dominance in the pop music scene with jams like "Dancing On My Own" and "Call Your Girlfriend." Greg notes that Robyn's forte is writing moving and sad songs to a beat that's melodic and danceable as heck! He says she's hitting her stride with this record. Jim is also glad she's back, and points out that this record goes well with the rest of the show about protest music because it demonstrates that club songs can be introspective and meaningful too. He thinks that Honey, this vibrant, bittersweet record, is just right for 2018.

Modern Protest Songs

In response to a listener's inquiry, Jim and Greg share protest songs written since the year 2000. They say their picks carry on the spirit of the labor movement of the 1930s, the civil rights and antiwar movements of the 1960s and the anti-Cold War movement of the 1980s.

Jim:

  • Downtown Boys "Wave of History"
  • Childish Gambino "This is America"
  • Lynzy Lab Stewart "It Sure Is a Scary Time for Men"
  • Against Me! "True Trans Soul Rebel"

Greg:

  • Joey Bada$$ "Land of the Free"
  • IDLES "Great"
  • Camp Cope "The Face of God"
  • The Last Poets "The Bridge"

Greg

Greg takes us back to the desert island with a selection by an artist that Jimmy Page recently cited as an inspiration for the founding of Led Zeppelin: pioneering rocker Bo Diddley. Bo Diddley introduced the hambone beat to rock, which later became known as the Bo Diddley beat - a rhythm with Afro-Carribean roots. His signature sound and swagger are clear on Greg's pick, "Who Do You Love." While Led Zeppelin's debut celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, Bo Diddley's self-titled debut album celebrates its 60th anniversary.

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