Protest songs have a way of resurfacing when the world needs them most, and Oaken Lee’s Where Now?, released on March 14, 2025, arrives like a rallying cry for a planet in crisis. Steeped in the rich tradition of ‘60s and ‘70s protest anthems, this track channels the urgency of The Chambers Brothers, the anthemic charge of John Lennon’s Power to the People, and the introspective fire of early Dylan. But while the sonic fingerprints of the past are all over Where Now?, its message is unmistakably present, grappling with the harsh realities of climate change and the looming specter of mass migration. It’s a song of reckoning, but also of resilience—an unflinching look at the state of the world, infused with the hope that change is still possible.
There’s a raw, homemade charm to Where Now? that adds to its authenticity. Recorded in Oaken Lee’s home studio in Tottenham, North London, the song doesn’t just talk about activism—it embodies it. The opening chant, captured live at a climate march in central London, sets the tone immediately, grounding the track in real-world struggle. From there, the instrumentation builds with a sense of urgency, layering folk-rock storytelling with driving rhythms and a biting, distorted bassline. It’s a sound that feels both familiar and fresh—one foot in the past, the other pressing forward into uncertain terrain.
Oaken Lee’s voice carries the weight of the song’s themes with a sense of both weariness and determination. He doesn’t just sing about the crisis; he sounds like someone living through it, questioning where we go from here. The lyrics cut through the noise with clarity and purpose, refusing to sugarcoat the reality we’re facing. But just when the track feels like it’s reached the edge of despair, the soaring guitar solo and the final verse offer a glimmer of hope—a reminder that redemption isn’t out of reach, that recovery is still possible if we act now.
The journey behind Where Now? is as compelling as the song itself. Oaken Lee’s upcoming full-length project, Home (is a folk-rock mixtape), was crafted over two years in the stolen moments between work and family life. Mixing tracks at 5 AM before the day’s responsibilities kicked in, squeezing in recording sessions late at night—this is music made in the margins, yet it speaks with the urgency of someone who knows there’s no time to waste. The DIY ethos isn’t just a necessity for Lee; it’s a statement in itself, proof that important music can be made outside the confines of traditional industry structures.
Though live performances have taken a backseat during the recording process, Lee is gearing up to bring Where Now? and the rest of Home… to audiences soon, with a planned release show in Tottenham and a growing presence on social media (@oakenlee). Given his past experience—playing alongside Mumford & Sons and taking festival stages at Glastonbury, T in the Park, and Green Man—there’s little doubt that his return to the stage will be a powerful one. But for now, Where Now? stands on its own as a statement, a challenge, and a call to action.
In a world where apathy often feels easier than engagement, Oaken Lee refuses to let the fire die out. Where Now? isn’t just a song—it’s a reminder that music still has the power to shake us awake, to inspire movement, and to remind us that the fight isn’t over. If the great protest anthems of the past have taught us anything, it’s that voices raised together can make a difference. The question isn’t whether music can still be a force for change—the question is, are we listening?
