Music and politics are inextricably linked; whether that’s the 1960s folk protest songs, the rebellious punk movement that emerged in the 70s or the outlawed rave scene of the 90s. Songwriting continues to be a platform for critiquing government regimes and societal oppression, with even the most unassuming of genres being used as a vehicle for political commentary. A recent example of this special territory comes from London’s Chas Leman, a life-long socialist and talented musician who tackles the tentacled evil of capitalism in his new single‘THE GOOD LIFE?’.
Before we dive into the track, let’s hear from Leman: “Its a comment on how the decay caused by late stage capitalism stares us dead in the face everyday. And how the people who have to look at it and feel it most are the working classes, who have seen their elements of relief from their daily toll and strain taken away from them generation after generation, from the selling off council housing to the transformation of pubs from community hubs to bougie ‘image’ places that most people are priced out of, and would feel out of place in anyway. So another cheerful number from me, then.”
From its opening lines ‘THE GOOD LIFE?’ pulled us in with a charming melody made of unspooled guitars and laid-back rhythms. This instantly head-bopping atmosphere puts the listener in a state of relaxed ease, replicating the laissez-faire apathy that has become all too normalised in today’s profit-obsessed culture. Matching this hazy vibe is Leman‘s nonchalant vocal performance as he notes the UK’s cost of living and housing crises, as well as the loss of communal spaces and services for working class communities.
There’s no doubt that Leman is deeply passionate about these issues, yet he purposely puts out an indifferent attitude that’s reminiscent of how people cope with these seemingly unsurmountable problems. This is why music is so vital; it’s accessible, it allows listeners to find common ground and it amplifies voices that would otherwise be lost.‘THE GOOD LIFE?’ is an essential piece of working class alt-pop satire.
You can also listen to ‘THE GOOD LIFE?’ in our Outsiders Club playlist.
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