Protest Song Of The Week: 'Scene 1' By SUMAC And Moor Mother
SUMAC, a sludge metal supergroup that formed in the 2010s, collaborated with Moor Mother, a Black artist known for music that builds on the rich history of beat poetry, hip hop, and jazz.
The project, “The Film,” released by Thrill Jockey on April 25, is constructed like an original motion picture soundtrack. Its free-flowing improvisation showcases artists that are creatively and spiritually unbound, both in their exploration of sound and themes central to humanity.
Moor Mother described, “The idea is to create a moment outside of the convention. This is a work of art. Thinking about the work as a Film, instead of an album or a collection of songs.”
“This task is impossible in an industry that wants to force everything into a box of consumption. You won't understand or get the full picture until the artwork is completed. This work is developing and is requesting more agency within the creative process,” Moor Mother added.
As Moor Mother noted, there are clear themes present—universal themes of nature, land, displacement, the climate, human rights and freedom, war and peace, and in particular, “the idea of running away from the many violent forces and horrific systems of man and empire.”
But the tracks are not broken up into easily digestible forms so that they may rise on the Spotify music charts. These are seven-, eight-, 12-, and 16-minute compositions that like orchestral movements have sections, which combine to form what Moor Mother calls a work of art.
“Scene 1” opens the album, and it is a bold statement. Everything that Moor Mother and Thrill Jockey have put out there about the vision behind “The Film” can be heard in this first song. Plus, it lays a foundation that SUMAC and Moor Mother can then deconstruct and unpack through various permutations.
“All they know is hate. Hate 'til they OD,” declares SUMAC vocalist Aaron Turner. “And all they do is kill. They don't want us to breathe. World for these Nixons. All they got is malaise. War made of order. Don’t believe in make believe.”
Moor Mother responds to this declaration about the world’s decline brought about by global elites. “I want my breath back.” The words that follow ask us to reflect on misguided beliefs and foolish obedience to a “democracy of monsters.”
After making a few suggestions about the source of such soullessness, Moor Mother provides this powerful testament on dehumanizing systems of control and oppression.
Found my face missing
I scream I'm right here
I'm right here
I scream
I'm right here
I'm right here
But they don't believe me
They don't believe me
They don't see me
For most of “Scene 1,” SUMAC’s guitar, drums, and bass lay in the background, giving space to Moor Mother. But in the last minute, an eruption unleashes that sludge metal sound. Dense muddy guitar and noise distortion floods the remainder of the composition.
Listen to “Scene 1” by SUMAC and Moor Mother [Support the album here or here.]