Jared Bond latest single “Gross”, throws a bold punch at the billionaires and corporations raking in billions upon billions of dollars on human pain and suffering, specifically those who profit off of oppression in the healthcare industry. In a time when wealth disparities are ever widening and health care costs leave many floundering, Bond makes anger into art, discloses a song as it is socially germane.
From the first notes of “Gross,” it’s evident that this is a statement. Bond’s brand of searing reporting and relentless delivery forces a light onto the uncomfortable truths the world might otherwise prefer to shuffle under the rug. The lyrics go straight for the jugular, directly addressing unfettered avarice and institutionalized oppression, but this production, raw, urgent and unapologetic, sets the stage perfectly. What makes “Gross” so effective, though, is its mix of message and musicality. Instead of dragging the song down with preachiness that is full-on heavy-handed, Bond delivered the critique with grits, energy and a hint of sarcasm. It’s protest music for the present day, unapologetic, thought-provoking and undeniably relevant.
This is the sort of song that appeals not only to listeners who are tired of corruption, but also fans who want their music to matter for something. “Gross” is a protest song that must be considered, talked about, reckoned with. At a time when many artists shy away from controversy, Jared Bond does the opposite, giving us a powerful reminder that music has always been one of the great weapons for cultural revolution. On “Gross,” he’s waking listeners up to the thuggish realities of greed and exploitation while blessing us with a song that lingers in your ears long after its final note is played.
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