Kevin Bronson on June 13th, 2017

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There are earworms, and there are big, open-hearted anthems that seek to convey a deeper meaning. L.A. duo the Federal Empire has both in their new single “What Are We Fighting For,” a world-peace-is-everybody’s-business plea that is their first new song since their EP “The American Dream” last fall. It’s the work of Chad Wolf (of Carolina Liar) and McKay Stevens (Grammy-nominated for Kaskade’s “Atmosphere”). Spliced into stadium-sized song is a sample from an old church choir, setting up “Fighting’s” folky bounce. “An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind,” Wolf sings in the chorus, paraphrasing a famous quote from Gandhi, one that has never been more true than today.

||| Stream: “What Are We Fighting For”

||| Live: The Federal Empire plays tonight at It’s a School Night at the Parish Room in the House of Blues Anaheim. They also play the Sunset Marquis free concert series on Friday night with the National Parks.