Songs of the year, number 22: Greentea Peng – Ghost Town

Released just before the first UK lockdown, this uncharacteristically political slice of brooding reggae and jazz infused anthemic pop has definite staying power. It was inspired by the continuing gentrification of London and depicts the demolishing of a community of high rise flats in Peng's neighbourhood. This isn't about progress she is saying, this is about homes and communities. And the destruction of those communities for the sake of profit. Like it's Specials namesake, it's a thought provoking piece that will endure long after the end of this year. As she says in the spoken word section of the piece, this isn't just about London. It's about all of us. 

Greentea Peng – Ghost Town

An uncharacteristicly political song from rising talent Greentea Peng, 'Ghost Town', the video to the song was filmed on the Aylesbury Estate in South London. At risk of demolition in 2016, the estate is now part of a regeneration area.

Regeneration in London is always a political subject and there is a sense, echoed very strongly by Peng here, that it is not the communities whose houses are being regenerated who gain the benefits. "You won't take my city from me" vows Peng as the high rises disappear to be replaced by unaffordable 'affordable' housing and communities are displaced.

When she performed the song live at the recent 6Music festival in Camden, she segued it smoothly into a high octane take on The Specials 1981 hit 'Ghost Town', which was number 1 in the UK Top 40 at the time of the 1981 riots.

Food for thought in both cases.