Declan McKenna wrote "Brazil" about FIFA corruption when he was 15. The song became a Glastonbury-winning anthem and set the tone for everything that followed: guitar pop with a conscience. What Do You Think About the Car? and Zeros cemented him as one of British indie's most consistent and politically engaged voices.
His songs tackle everything from climate anxiety to celebrity culture, without ever sounding like lectures. The sound is bright, melodic, unashamedly pop - and the crowds are getting bigger. For a generation raised on streaming and activism, McKenna is proof that you can have both bangers and beliefs.
Brazil and the early breakthrough
Declan McKenna was still at school in Hertfordshire when he wrote "Brazil." The song - a critique of FIFA and the corruption surrounding the World Cup - won the Glastonbury Festival's Emerging Talent Competition in 2015 and put him on the map before he'd even left his teens. The track was catchy enough to get played on the radio and sharp enough to start conversations. It set a template: McKenna would make guitar pop that was unafraid to take on big subjects. Debut album What Do You Think About the Car? followed in 2017 with more of the same: "Paracetamol" addressed trans representation in media; "Bethlehem" tackled religious hypocrisy; "The Kids Don't Wanna Come Home" spoke to a generation's disillusionment. The record was political without being preachy, and it won him a devoted fanbase that saw him as a voice for a new kind of British youth.
Zeros, released in 2020, took the sound in a more cosmic direction. The album was inspired by 1970s rock and sci-fi, and tracks like "Beautiful Faces" and "The Key to Life on Earth" blended social commentary with bigger production. The record was a critical success and confirmed that McKenna wasn't a one-album wonder; he was building a catalogue that could sustain a long career. The live shows had grown too: from small rooms to festival stages, with crowds that knew every word and weren't afraid to shout them back.
Politics, pop and the Gen-Z audience
What sets McKenna apart is the balance. He's never been afraid to be political - he's spoken about climate change, LGBTQ+ rights and the need for young people to be heard - but the music has always been pop first. The hooks are big; the melodies are bright. He's not making protest music that sacrifices listenability; he's making hits that happen to have something to say. That approach has resonated with a generation that's grown up with activism as part of everyday life. The fans don't see politics and pop as separate; they see McKenna as someone who gets that.
The third album and the tours that follow will be crucial. McKenna has already proven he can write songs that last; the question now is how far he can push the sound and the message. As guitar music continues to fight for space in the streaming era, artists like Declan McKenna are the reason it still has a seat at the table. The next album will be one to watch - and the generation that grew up with "Brazil" will be watching closest.
The next chapter
As guitar music continues to fight for space, artists like Declan McKenna are the reason it still has a seat at the table. He's proven that you can have bangers and beliefs, and that the two can make each other stronger. The next album will be one to watch - and the crowds will only get bigger.