Not Alone – OpCritical
Protest songs usually arrive when something feels broken. OpCritical’s debut single, “Not Alone,” doesn’t whisper that feeling — it confronts it head-on. Built as a modern reworking of Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the track borrows the urgency of that 1970 anthem and redirects it toward what the band describes as a new era of authoritarian drift. Where “Ohio” captured national outrage in the wake of the Kent State shootings, “Not Alone” reframes protest for 2026, replacing historical reference with present-day imagery and a repeated refrain: together, we’re not alone.
Musically, the song leans into that familiar protest structure — driving rhythm, pointed lyrics, and a chorus built to be shouted rather than merely sung. But it’s the intent that carries the weight. OpCritical positions itself less as a traditional band and more as a vehicle for civic resistance, insisting that the message matters more than individual identities. The lyrics speak directly to concerns about immigration enforcement, militarization, and civil liberties, urging listeners to stand together in defense of what they frame as core American values: decency, tolerance, honesty, and the rule of law.
The accompanying video amplifies the symbolism. A child watching cartoons sees her screen overtaken by images of uniformed force; an ominous figure demands silence; red, white, and blue balloons rise as a counter-image of collective hope. It’s not subtle — and it isn’t trying to be. Like the protest songs that inspired it, “Not Alone” aims to galvanize rather than decorate. Whether you hear it as a warning, a rallying cry, or both, OpCritical makes its purpose clear: this is music designed not just to be streamed, but to be stood behind.
English