"Makarrata" is a philosophical term in the Aboriginal Australian language of Yolngu that essentially describes coming together to find peace and enact justice following a conflict. The word found its way into the wider Australian lexicon in 2017 as part of the Uluru Statement of the Heart, a moving document released by delegates from the First Nations National Constitutional Convention which called for a "Makarrata Commission." For a band whose North Star has always burned with the purpose of environmental activism and humanitarianism, it's fitting that
Midnight Oil's first new material in 18 years is centered around the plight of the First Peoples. After disbanding in the early 2000s, the Aussie rock icons reunited as a live act a decade later, seemingly settling into well-earned legacy mode with several archival releases, a live album, and a documentary. Proving they are still a vital force for good, the group's laurel-resting period comes to a halt with 2020's
The Makarrata Project, a highly collaborative seven-track EP of all-new material that makes a compelling case for Indigenous reparations. Reuniting with producer
Warne Livesey, the band reached out to artists of Indigenous descent including
Frank Yamma,
Alice Skye, and
Kev Carmody to join them in the studio. The powerful opener "First Nation" weaves its collaborators seamlessly into
Midnight Oil's wiry guitar attack with pop singer
Jessica Mauboy and rapper
Tasman Keith adding some youthful fire into the mix. Likewise, "Gadigal Land" is another sharp track full of righteous vigor that harkens back to the group's late-'80s peak. The heartfelt "Change the Date" features some gorgeous unreleased recordings from the late singer
Gurrumul Yunupingu, while the plaintive ballad "Terror in Australia" is sung by
Alice Skye alone. Perhaps the album's most effective track is a reading of the actual Uluru Statement of the Heart, whose texts are passed back and forth by
Pat Anderson,
Stan Grant,
Adam Goodes,
Ursula Yovich, and
Troy Cassar-Daley against
Midnight Oil's sparkling ambient backdrop before segueing into the rousing "Come on Down." While the collaborative nature and scant length of
The Makarrata Project might have some fans wishing for more of a straightforward rock album after so many years away, the band nonetheless stay true to their long-held mission with a focused, purposeful, and culturally relevant return to form. ~ Timothy Monger
![WHO [Deluxe Edition]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0602435129433_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "WHO [Deluxe Edition]")
![Gimme Some Truth [2020]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0602435002088_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "Gimme Some Truth [2020]")