With a band name like Reefeater, I’m not inherently looking for a serious song since I take the name as either relating to weed i.e. reefer or to surfing/scuba/beach shit. But this song speaks to my soul. I’m a former social studies teacher who is getting his PhD with a focus on social justice and one of my big areas of study is the effects of uber patriotism that borders or spurns outright into nationalism vs. a reflective patriotism that focuses on acknowledging the failures of the past and present and working to achieve the aspirational ideals that might exist which is heavily related to the lyrics of this song.

But enough about me. The song is a modern take on 90’s skate punk with a distinct vocal tone that would allow them to get noticed on a comp or in a Tony Hawk video with similar artists.

As I alluded to earlier the lyrics are sociopolitical in nature but broad enough that the themes hit into what I would called enduring understandings that transcend national boundaries.

For example, the recurring chorus, which questions, "Who will you blame now, Who will you blame," reinforces the idea that the subject is quick to blame others without reason and highlights the need for self-reflection.

Then the repeated lines, "We’re all the same you just haven't realized / You’re spreading hatred without reason / We’re all aligned you just have to curb the lies," emphasize the message of unity and the need to reject baseless hatred and divisive lies.

“Patriot” criticizes individuals who hold prejudiced beliefs, spread hatred without reason, and blame others for societal problems all in the name of some false idealized version of patriotism that more aligns with jingoism. It calls for unity, empathy, and self-awareness, suggesting that we are all part of the same human family and should reject divisive ideologies.

Listen here:

Also listen on Spotify or on my Punk playlist full of bangers

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