97. The Radio Dept. - “Occupied”

I’m a sucker for concept albums, as well as copious amounts of reverb, tinny percussion and spacey synths. Its my jam, jelly and peanut butter, and this song has all of it.

Running Out of Love tells the story of a dystopian future, no doubt inspired by the resurgence of nationalism and close mindedness that seems to be endemic throughout the world nowadays. This song specifically is a seven plus minute detail of injustice and hopelessness amidst a situation that is spiraling out of control. It’s an occupation, a slowly setting sun that leads into a long night. It’s watching freedom and liberty recede as a new order slowly takes root, suffocating justice and any semblance of the life one once knew. With poignant lines like “We all wish there was a hell for some people, some kind of retribution. You want him freed from his arms and legs, cash and crown and frown. But as you know that’s not the way it goes, when was it ever? No - ‘cause wicked people thrive while the likes of you go down, down, down, down, down, down, down”, it strikes the heart and smothers it in a pessimism that has sadly become the new state of realism. It’s like staring into the smokey crystal ball and watching what could be, what we as humans have always run the risk of when greed, hate and power run amok unchecked.