Sex is good. Reproductive rights for everyone? Even better. On Tuesday, Noise for Now revealed the track list for Tift Merritt’s album initiative Songs for Sex, featuring Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Andrew Bird, and several other stars to support sexual and reproductive rights.
Among the artists featured on the record are Ella Vos, Rett Madison, Kev Decor, Tanner Porter, Thao, and My Brightest Diamond. Some stars will perform covers, while others will share live versions of their own tracks to benefit the National Women’s Health Network.
“We all have stories about how these regressive steps backward play out in our lives, and in the lives of people we love,” Merritt said in a press release. “I hope these songs open your heart to how important it is to stand up for bodily autonomy, reproductive freedoms, privacy, and more love in the world no matter what it looks like.”
Noise for Now — the non-profit organization leading the LP — teased its release by dropping an album preview, “How to Be 18” by girl band Trousdale, about a young woman who seeks an abortion in a state where it’s illegal to.
“While the political conversation around abortion in this country often centers on life-threatening circumstances, we wanted to focus on the more common reason women seek it: simply not being ready to bring a child into the world,” the band said in a press release. “In addition to reproductive rights, Project 2025 targets the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and undermines protections for marginalized communities.”
“We’re proud to be part of the fight for the basic human dignity that every person deserves,” the band added.
Songs for Sex Track List
1. “Recreational Sex” by Tift Merritt and Robert Ellis
2. “Love in This Club” (Usher cover) by Ella Vos
3. “Bad Idea, Right?” (Olivia Rodrigo cover) by Thao
4. “Whe Beretta (Live)” by Jason Isbell and the 400 Uited
5. “Bloodless (Live from the Green Mill)” by Andrew Bird
6. “Fatal Attraction (Live)” by Katie Malco
7. “Today/Sex (Live in Portland, OR)” by Erin McKeown
8. “Red String Theory” by Kev Decor
9. “Hold You (Responsible)” by Cake
10. “Black Sheep” by My Brightest Diamond
11. “ThreeSeven” by the Album Leaf
12. “Kids Having Kids” by Redd Madison
13. “Eager Teeth (Acoustic)” by Sym Fera
14. “Back to Shore (Acoustic)” by Tanner Porter
15. “How to Be 18 (Demo)” by Trousdale
16. “One Good Thing” by Tift Merritt
