Following years of travelling the world to perform, nomadic Swedish rapper Clandestina seems qualified to challenge it. This shows on her first EP ‘Politically Erect’ – a collection of incensed, politically charged songs that come from learning the issues we think are personal are truly universal. 

Opener ‘Don’t Quit’ is a call for change, driven by a pop-leaning trap rhythm underscored by sparse piano beats. It is a rallying cry that evokes Logic’s commitment to social righteousness. While sincerely angry, it never lands as performative, but closer to Self Esteem’s unabashed honesty and subversion of pop standards. Despite intense subject matter, the closing line ‘The revolution can’t be without you/so don’t quit’ feels like a manifesto: a fitting way to start an EP unafraid to call out injustice in any form. 

‘Man-Made’ continues her anger’s global scope, with trap beats meeting a twinkling piano line. There is a surprising degree of vulnerability in its lyrics exploring sexuality and hook-up culture that removes any preachiness and instead creates a personal connection. It feels clear this is personal catharsis for Clandestina, not empty catchphrasing.

While she has an evident ear for maximal bombast in hard-hitting tracks, Clandestina is determined to evade genres. Following cuts ‘Hymns to a child I love’ and ‘Soldiers’ dispense with any beats, allowing her lyricism and listener time to breathe. ‘Hymn to a child I love’ is fully a cappella, a moment of heartbreak that shows behind the beats she is genuinely affected by what is happening around her. ‘Soldiers’ follows the same format yet its production emphasises her rhythmic vocal as an announcement: it sounds like her voice is coming out of loudspeakers, hijacking militaristic speakers to plead for peace and understanding instead of violence. 

‘Bigger Than Paris’ punches straight through the reprieve with pounding yet dreamy beats echoing Juice Wrld’s production choices. The sensitivity is gone and gives way for her anger to return in a despairing, furious song about the current climate crisis. In name-dropping natural disasters from every corner of the world, Clandestina seeks universality; showing us we’re in this together despite the division the world wants us to feel.

Mercilessly, closer ‘Landet Istid’ allows a slight moment of fun. It pairs salsa-infused dance with Kendrick Lamar-style chopped-and-flipped piano to give a wonky global groove. Despite the slight tonal jump from fury to something a lot lighter, Clandestina ends on something eminently human to emphasise joy; a reminder to dance even when things seem hopeless.

Across six tracks, Clandestina effortlessly melds fury, spoken-word, dance and hip-hop into a statement – one of hope and unity in the face of a system that profits from our division. We should all remain ‘Politically Erect.’