It’s easy to imagine Emily Lacy living inside of a giant old tree, and fairies come to her for wisdom about saving the world. For the past few months, Lacy has been rallying for the revolution with her Occupy shows in town, and she’s teamed up with producer Scott Barber to put it on virtual wax. Opening song “Beat” reveals she’s riled up with some psychedelic details and plenty reverb. The big tree she lives in, it has great natural reverb chambers. Flowers bloom out of its cracks when the sound escapes. “Country” is a catchy battle cry. “Riches” encompasses with guitars while “Rise” digs its fingers into some beautiful feedback as Lacy wails like a proto-punker. Stylistically, “America” and “Goodbye” will please fans of her meditative album Country Singer. And although the art is priceless, you can download the EP Rise for free. Whether you’re into the politics or not, this is fucking good and inspiring. Lacy is a true folk artist, whether she’s strumming a guitar or manipulating frequencies on a machine, she makes the people’s music. This EP is most literally “for the people,” the first of a proposed Occupy Trilogy by Ms. Lacy. Her musical message is unselfish, personal and universal. We ain’t in Greenwich Village and she ain’t really a hippie, but I’m going to go burn my bra now.

Oh, by the way, happy birthday Emily.

—Daiana Feuer