If Faris Badwan’s recent comments regarding the general election (“It’s for a different generation! Politics doesn’t mean anything to me!” etc) had you worrying that indie had disappeared into the apathetic abyss for good, then do not fear! Just in the nick of time, Cian Ciarán of Super Furry Animals and former Beta Band frontman Steve Mason have collaborated for a pre-election broadside against the “axis of evil”. All this apex of indie is missing is a triangle cameo from Rick Witter, a Bernard Butler guitar solo and Gay Dad on backing vocals.
With Mason on vocals and Ciarán creating its ambient production, Don’t Give It Away aims its vitriol at right-wing politics, corruption and unjust western power systems. It aims swipes at the outgoing Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government, banks, nuclear industries and islamophobia.
“What has happened in established politics is nothing short of criminal, testing my faith in humanity,” says Ciarán of the track. “We see blatant, systematic rebalancing of the books, favouring private greed over public wealth, to ensure the deserving majority is left with nothing in favour of an immoral minority. The coalition has worked harder to protect this imbalance than anyone could have imagined, ruling through deception and fear.
“This is our response to those injustices and, in writing and releasing the tracks, ask that voters consider whether members of the political and business elite really have their best interests at heart.”
Is its message enough to swing your vote? Take a listen to the track and let us know what you think of it!
