Song of the Year: Heartless Bastards, "Revolution"

(Sponsored by Real Ale Brewing Co.)

A triptych of wistful nostalgia, prophetic counsel, and a requiem for the modern age, "Revolution" triumphs into a six-minute spiritualist wonder. Marking the Heartless Bastards' return after six years following Restless Ones in 2015, the stand-alone single came out via Austin imprint Spaceflight Records on July 3, with a portion of proceeds going to ACLU. The downtempo rumination on greed and loss of innocence coupled with melancholic acoustics combust into a supernova as Lauren Gurgiolo's ricocheting six-string and Kevin Ratterman's palpating drums give into the hypnotic mantra, "The revolution is in your mind."

"'Revolution' is a reminder to myself to avoid playing the game as much as I can," revealed the Austinites' lead powerhouse and the song's author and oracle Erika Wennerstrom on Instagram. "I don't need this and I don't need that. The marathon everybody is running is exhausting."

In the dying moments of the song, Wennerstrom's central question – "Where are you going my friend, have you forgotten when there was a time filled with hope instead of fear that's in your heart?" – hangs in the air. Her answer is our answer. – Alejandra Ramirez