Ben Harper, “Bloodline Maintenance.”

The concept of intergenerational trauma goes like this: One’s ancestor experiences something so traumatic that it triggers a response in the brain and body, resulting in the passing down of traits that result in predisposition for anxiety disorders and depression to show up further down the family lineage. Bloodline Maintenance, the new album by Ben Harper, explores this concept in tandem with the impact that systemic racism has on people to this day.

The album opens with “Below Sea Level,” an eerie number that explores the oncoming climate apocalypse and the overwhelming sense of despair that comes with it. Harper uses harmonized vocals with no backing instrumentation whatsoever, highlighting the shared sense of dread and the echoing cries of people who are all scared for the future yet remain unheard by those in power.

Single “We Need To Talk About It” opens with a funky guitar melody and echoing snares as Harper calls for more honest discussions about slavery and its continued impact on American society. It brings to mind the difficult conversations white Americans would rather avoid than address head-on, often hiding behind the Bible and the flag to avoid criticisms of racism still rife throughout the country.

“Where Did We Go Wrong” examines increasing international tensions as war continues and there’s an increasingly looming threat of a nuclear launch becoming more of a reality with each passing day.

The next track, “Problem Child,” is a deep, bluesy cut that explores the issue of wealth and resource distribution. Ben Harper sings about his glass being both half empty and too small. The song gradually takes on jazzier elements in its second half, along with some record scratching amid the stylistic switch-up. The marching strike of piano chords on “It Ain’t No Use” drives its somber tone as Harper opens up about the pain he feels from experiencing deep betrayal. Who’s betrayal? It seems a bit abstract what he’s referring to, but it still feels applicable considering the themes of the album thus far.

“More Than Love” comes across about as nebulous in its examination of love, while delivering a hypnotic melody carried by a number of percussive instruments creating a unique melody as opposed to the more traditional use of keyboards, guitars and so on. “Smile At The Mention” and “Honey, Honey” expand on themes of love, with the former praising it as a driving force of hope in the face of overwhelming uncertainty and doom. The latter track sees Harper expressing his desire to spend his final moments in the company of loved ones; a defiant act of love in response to a cold and cruel world.

The album closes on a low note with “Knew The Day Was Coming” and “Maybe I Can’t.” Harper struggles with the feelings of resignation to the onset reality of the end coming on the former track, with a bleak blues melody; while on latter he laments being haunted by the scars of the past and how the past will always inform our future.

Bloodline Maintenance is a beautiful work examining the turmoil and disfunction of American society. While it seems that an overwhelming sense of hopelessness might seem insurmountable, there’s always hope if we can still talk about the issues at hand.