A Canadian folk trio’s album Songs of the Silent Majority became an unexpected crossover hit, blending Appalachian folk with politically charged lyrics addressing housing crises and Indigenous land rights. The track Broken Promises Highway—a seven-minute epic chronicling pipeline protests—was adopted as a rallying cry by climate activists, leading to unprecedented corporate radio play for a protest song.

The trio’s decision to forego touring in favor of busking in marginalized neighborhoods drew both praise and criticism. Their collaboration with Indigenous elders on Language of the Land, a cantata preserving endangered Cree dialects, earned a Polaris Music Prize nomination. “Folk music was always about truth-telling,” said the group’s mandolinist. “We’re just following that tradition.” The album’s liner notes include a petition demanding governmental accountability, merging activism with artistry.