It’s hard out here for anyone who cares about what’s going on in the world. Everything seems to be falling apart, the most evil men seem to be in power and a collective suffering seems to be festering among us all. But we must be vigilant citizens of the planet willing to offer care and compassion to our fellow man. It’s something that British singer-songwriter Ego Ella May addresses with the release of her latest single “We’re Not Free.”
A switch up from the romantic feel of her upcoming album’s lead single “What We Do,” “We’re Not Free” is kind of a spiritual descendant of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” The two songs both use lush musical backdrops to speak to the political and social ills that plague their day and age. Ego Ella May utilizes strings, horns and guitar to spread her message, mixing elements of jazz and soul together in the process to craft the song’s sound.
Meanwhile, she highlights the current troubles befalling the world in a conversational tone while making sure to mention the politics and the policies that are creating them. But where “What’s Going On” asked us to open our eyes to what’s happening around us, “We’re Not Free” speaks to the apathy we can feel in this constantly tuned-in world while challenging us to fight for others as well as ourselves.
“Part of me says / ‘It’s above me, it’s with God’ / I mind my business, tend to the earth / And keep a sovereign heart,” she sings at one point. “But then a still, small voice says, ‘You’re not free ’til everyone else is.’”
The statement is so simple, yet it manages to both indict us and motivate us all at once. And that’s precisely the artist’s mission. “I hope it sparks conversations around collective care, about holding our politicians accountable, about not losing hope, and about stewardship,” Ego Ella May said of her intentions for the song in a press release.
“We’re Not Free” is a message delivered in a beautiful musical package. And it’s one that we should take heed of as we continue to navigate some difficult personal and political times. Give it a serious listen when you press play.
