Browsing Tag

Protest Pop

Karyn Ann became a conduit of justice in her soul-swathed, vintage-hued hit, Big Money, Deep Pockets

Karyn Ann’s latest single, Big Money, Deep Pockets, charts a new path in protest music, one that is paved with honeyed harmonic soul. In an era screaming for transformation, the Portland-based singer-songwriter found herself at the frontline of the resistance against exploitation.

Known for her distinctive cocktail of soulful Americana and perception-shifting lyricism, Karyn Ann set the bar high with her former releases but by channelling the spirit of vintage grooves into Big Money, Deep Pockets, she delivered the revolution we never knew we needed. Ann’s voice, rich with Patty Griffin’s earthiness and the haunting elegance reminiscent of Amy Winehouse, cut through the noise of today’s tumultuous climate.

Since her debut, she has become a notable figure in the Pacific Northwest, gracing stages at prominent venues like McMenamins Crystal Ballroom and festivals from the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival to Portland’s own annual Folk Festival.

In her own words, Ann describes that Big Money, Deep Pockets is as much a modern-day anthem as it is a scathing critique of our times, addressing the pressing issues of climate change, social inequality, and a cry for justice. Transcending the echoes of the frustrations of a polarised society; it seeks to be a catalyst for change.

In a world of fleeting trends and ephemeral interests, Karyn Ann is a timeless icon in the rough.

Big Money, Deep Pockets was officially released on September 9th and is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dejhare shifts ‘Perception’ with her protestive dance pop track.

Dejhare broke the plastic pop mould with her single, Perception, taken from her EP, Plead the Fifth, which yearns for outdated and archaic notions to be left where they belong, in the past.

The protestive, danceable, hook-filled pop track attacks discrimination and human rights abuses that are still commonplace globally in a time when we base our progress on technological advances, which in essence are meaningless in the face of the atrocities that become breaking news by the hour.

With her vision as an artist and the execution of her infectiously liberating tracks, the airwaves have been crying out for a unifying luminary such as Dehjare. We can’t wait to see where she takes her sound next.

Perception is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast