Oaken Lee’s latest single, Where Now?, is a powerful and nostalgic protest song that blends the spirit of 1960s and ‘70s folk-rock with a modern sense of urgency. Rooted in the tradition of classic protest anthems, the song takes inspiration from legends like John Lennon, Pete Seeger, and Bob Dylan while addressing a crisis that defines our time—the climate emergency. Recorded with an unmistakable DIY ethos, Where Now? carries the weight of its message with raw sincerity, compelling instrumentation, and a glimmer of hope amidst the warning signs.
From the very first moments of Where Now?, there’s an undeniable sense of familiarity. The song evokes the sounds of past movements—marching in the footsteps of tracks like Power to the People and I’d Love to Change the World—while crafting a message that feels painfully relevant in 2025. The opening crowd chant, recorded at a climate change march in London, immediately sets the tone: this is not just a song; it’s a call to action.
Lyrically, Where Now? doesn’t just dwell on the destruction caused by climate change—it asks a pressing question: what happens next? The song contemplates the reality of environmental collapse and the displacement it will cause, yet it avoids falling into despair. Instead, the final verse and soaring solo inject a sense of hope, suggesting that redemption and recovery are still within reach if humanity is willing to act.
Musically, Where Now? is an unashamedly retro-sounding track. The mix of folk storytelling with elements of classic rock gives it a timeless quality, making it easy to imagine it sitting alongside protest anthems from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Acoustic guitars blend with distorted bass, while drum machines add a modern touch. The balance of traditional folk instrumentation and contemporary production choices creates a sound that bridges generations, reinforcing the idea that the struggles of the past are still the struggles of today.
The home-recorded nature of the track adds to its authenticity. There’s a rawness here that feels genuine—Oaken Lee’s decision to capture the song in brief moments between work and daily life mirrors the way real activism often unfolds: squeezed into the spaces between responsibility and obligation. The song’s DIY aesthetic isn’t a limitation; it’s a testament to the dedication behind the music.
Oaken Lee’s musical path is an interesting one. Having once shared stages with Mumford & Sons and performed at major festivals like Glastonbury and T in the Park, he now finds himself starting fresh with this new project. His years away from music seem to have only sharpened his sense of purpose, and Where Now? feels like an artist returning not for fame, but for something bigger—a need to contribute, to use his voice for something that matters.
Though live performances have taken a backseat to recording in recent years, Lee has hinted at a return to the stage, including a planned release show in Tottenham for his upcoming project Home (is a folk-rock mixtape). Given the depth and passion behind Where Now?, hearing this track live could be an electrifying experience.
Where Now? is more than just a song—it’s a statement. It channels the energy of past protest anthems while confronting one of the most pressing crises of our time. Oaken Lee has crafted a track that is both urgent and hopeful, blending vintage influences with a modern perspective.
In a world where protest music often takes a backseat to more commercial sounds, Where Now? is a refreshing and necessary reminder that music can still be a force for change. It’s the kind of song that lingers in the mind, not just for its melody, but for the questions it asks—and the responsibility it places on the listener.
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