The new song of the week comes from a singer who knows about layered, blown-out sound. Neil Young’s latest, “Big Change,” is at once ominous and hopeful, with a swipe at stultifying technology (“Take the bits and pixels down / Put your old phone down”) and a squall of distortion. It’s a surprisingly uplifting track from a man who is often pessimistic, and it’s also a perfect introduction to his Chrome Hearts bandmates.
In the 1970s, as Chilean socialist leader Salvador Allende’s Popular Unity government gained momentum, he stood in front of a crowd of cheering citizens. Above the crowd was a banner that read, “You Can’t Have a Revolution Without Songs.” This sentiment fueled a musical movement across Latin America known as nueva cancion (New Song Movement). The popularity of these musicians and the political content of their lyrics encouraged people to rise up and fight for change. However, many dictatorships took action against the artists and banned their music. For example, Augusto Pinochet banned the playing of Andean instruments in an attempt to stifle the popularity of the popular groups Quilapayun and Inti-Illimani. As a result, the group members went into exile. One of the members, Victor Jara, was murdered in 1973, which shattered the hopes of the movement.
Despite the setback, the songs of the New Song Movement continued to grow in popularity. As the music evolved to meet the changing social and political climate, it became clear that this was a true people’s music. This music was not only a means of protest, but it also provided hope and healing to the people of Latin America.
The redeemed of the world will add stanzas to this “new song” throughout eternity. They will sing this song with ever increasing passion and deep meaning, expressing the fullness of God’s redemptive work in Jesus Christ.
After making Afrobeats’ biggest crossover hit to date with last year’s Heis, Rema could have easily settled into chasing the mainstream. Instead, he continues to stretch the genre on this catchy single. The pulsing, bass-heavy song combines a sweaty dance floor beat with a jaunty piano riff and the kind of earworm hook that’s best heard on a summer day.
Whether you’re on the way to your next destination or just hanging out at home, these songs will keep you moving all summer long. Other big releases this week include Bring Me The Horizon’s Liam Gallagher-approved 2025 take on Oasis’ WONDERWALL and Damiano David’s slick cover of Mark Ronson and Miley Cyrus’ Nothing Breaks Like A Heart.