There is a rising tide of violence and hate in the world today. But, if you are a protest singer, that presents an opportunity. So, for example, Grace Petrie’s gonna do well out of this. At least, I hope she will.

With her 17-minute EP, This Is No Time To Panic!, Grace has summed up how I feel about 2025 perfectly. It has been a terrible year, but I am somewhat comforted to know that I am not the only one who has struggled to find any redeeming features in my fellow human beings. As Ms. Petrie puts it, “I have never liked everyone else less”.

Of the five tracks on the EP, two address the disastrous state of world politics, one reflects on the increasing level of mental health problems, another comments on the decaying property markets, and the last ponders the stultifying effect of social media. “Look at what is wrong with our societies today”, they say. But Grace presents it all with a disarming sense of humour, both making you think and brightening up your day. These are the IgNobel awards of the popular music scene.