Kathleen Hanna featuring Ad-Rock, Money Mark, Fredo Ortiz, and Frank Figueroa Cover Justin Bieber

By -

Photo by Jason Rothenberg

October 2 will see the release of Contra-ICA Vol. 1: ICE OUT, a benefit compilation put together by Build Art Make Change. It's a whopping forty-seven tracks long, and the first single is out now. It's from Katheen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, The Julie Ruin), who teams with Ad-Rock (Beastie Boys), Money Mark, Fredo Ortiz, and Frank Figueroa. I would expect it to be a highly political song, but instead it's a cover of Justin Bieber's "Let Me Love You." I'm completely familiar with the original, but this cover is a lot of fun. It's the kind of song that people will first listen because they're fans of the artists involved, or just curiosity, but they're going to stay since it's a fun song. I doubt the original is as disco centered as Hanna and friends' version, but it also doesn't have the same indie cred.

BAMC founder Dali Colorado says of the upcoming compilation:

“Contra-ICE is not only an album. It is not only a collective. It is a cultural infrastructure built to support frontline organizations, amplify immigrant voices, and mobilize creatives who believe that love is not passive; it’s organized. Music has always been my first language. Justice has always been my inheritance. Contra-ICE is where those two lineages meet, urgently, unapologetically, and with LOVE OVER FEAR.

"As a DJ, I approached this project as a curator, carefully crafting a listening experience that unfolds as a journey. Every track, transition, and voice serves a purpose, inviting listeners to move through moments of grief, anger, resilience, hope, and ultimately, action. My hope is that people don't simply hear this album—they feel it, connect with it, and leave inspired to create change in their own communities.

"From beginning to end, it tells a story, weaving together music, comedy, and spoken word from a diverse community of artists responding to the inhumane treatment perpetuated by today's fascist ICE state.”

You can listen to Kathleen Hanna's version of "Let Me Love You" below. Contra-ICE Vol. 1: ICE OUT is due out October 2 on SoundsGood Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on BAMC, check out the organization's website.

On Repeat...

Hiding Places - "Waiting"

By -
Image
Photo by Calli Westra Brooklyn's Hiding Places are originally from North Carolina, and that sound is all over their latest single. "Waiting" has a strong alt-country meets dark indie rock sound. The song is as hypnotic as it is heartbreaking. Even if you're not paying attention to the lyrics, the vibe of the song is overwhelmingly dark and somber. There's plenty of country twang and indie rock fuzz throughout the song, with the music carrying the weight of the song as much as vocalist/guitarist Nicholas Byrne's voice does. The song is stunning, both in its beauty and mood. I feel like I've been sitting on "Waiting" for a while now until I could fully wrap my head around it. Hiding Places has something truly special here. Nicholas Byrne says of his band's latest single: "Hiding Places’ first bassist, Anthony Cozzarelli, left the band in July of 2022. I wrote the chorus the day before Anthony left the band. I recalled the slow death of my ...
Read more

Ezra Furman - "Forever in Sunset"

By -
Image
Photo by Tonje Thilesen Ezra Furman has to be one of the most unique and yet all encompassing artists out today. Her latest single, "Forever In Sunset," combines elements of singer/songwriter fare, electronic music, and indie rock. It's an intense song that is almost a power ballad but is a little too heavy at times for that. It's a mish-mash of glam, adult contemporary, and post punk. That should not work at all, but most artists aren't Furman who apparently can do literally anything musically and make it masterful. Ezra Furman says of her new song: “The biggest influence on the lyrics of this song is a conversation I had with a friend of mine. When Covid was first hitting, she was talking to me a lot about how ready she felt. She was like, ‘people who have been comfortable in life are freaking out right now. But queer people like me have been in crisis before. I grew up poor and my family kicked me out when I was a teenager. My world has already ended plenty of ...
Read more

Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures - "Hollow Choir"

By -
Image
Photo by Gia Smith There's prolific, and then there's Derek Smith. The Boston musician's latest single with the Cosmic Vultures, "Hollow Choir," is his eightieth song in the past eight years. It also helps explain the genre psychedelic folk-rock. The song is a little over three minutes, but the genre makes it feel much more epic. It's smooth sounding with trippy little flourishes, particularly in the guitar. At times, it sounds almost Adult Contemporary, but it's far too psychedelic for that. It's the play between the mainstream and the alternative side of folk that makes "Hollow Choir" work so well. Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures have long had this ability to provide a little something for everyone, and their latest proves that more than previous ones have. Derek Smith says of his latest single: “This song sums up the feelings I have had towards my music career for the last few years. I am always being told what I should do or what I sh...
Read more