L.A.-based artist Nate Newburn describes himself as as a “Singer-songwriter, humanitarian, environmentalist, cannabis activist, [and] avid surfer.” It’s always enjoyable to find artists who bring pieces of their identity into their music – and indeed, Newburn has done so on his latest album Lazarburn. On that album is a single titled Can’t Be Swayed (No More), and it’s a track with laid-back vibes yet a highly passionate message that gives great insight into the kind of politically charged artistry you can expect from Newburn.
On a base of intricate acoustic guitar and bongos, Can’t Be Swayed (No More) almost has a tropical feel at first, a bouncy rhythm and a smoothness to the instrumentation that would imply easygoingness is at the heart of this track. But this is not a song about rolling over or taking the easy way out, no – this song’s message stands in protest to conformity, urging the listener to reject what is accepted as normal in today’s society, and to refuse to allow the opinions of others determine what is right for you. The lyrics, while poetic in execution, could not be clearer in their message:
“Try and make me conform
To their society
Their ideology
Their piety”
The fervent delivery of this idea is at the heart of the song, but another high point is the spoken word section, giving even deeper meaning to Newburn’s message. The poem spoken beautifully decries the suffering one must go through to adhere to societal norms, and invites the listener to refuse to fit into the mold, despite what others may think. (You can read the poem in its entirety on Newburn’s website, here.) It’s an important message, and the acoustic simplicity of the track allows it to truly shine here.
There’s little the world needs now more than artists to lead the charge into the political fray – shouting for others to follow the path towards what is right. Nate Newburn is one such artist, and Can’t Be Swayed (No More) feels like a battle cry to the masses, urging us all to band together and reject the ills of society, for the betterment of both ourselves and each other. For more poetic lyricism about hard-hitting and important issues, take a listen to Lazarburn below.
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BELOW: Listen to Can’t Be Swayed (No More) and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Nate Newburn by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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