Preview Sunny War’s new album ‘Armageddon In A Summer Dress’ with three new songs

With a raw roots / Americana sound and the spirit of a punk singer, Sunny War returns this winter with a new LP called Armageddon In A Summer Dress. The project features an array of collaborators from both of her creative worlds, including folk artists Tré Burt and Valerie June, as well as Steve Ignorant of anarcho-punk icons Crass, and John Doe of LA heroes X.

The latest single from the album is her pairing with June: a footstomping singalong about embracing your feelings and getting through tough times. In a press release, Sunny talks about formative times touring with June, and the inspiration she finds in her music: “I always listen to her when I want to be calmed down or hugged.” This song have very much the same impact.

The first taste of Armageddon In A Summer Dress came back in November with the Steve Ignorant collaboration, “Walking Contradiction.” Sunny considers Crass one of her all time-favorites and calls Steve “My hero for life. When I started listening to Crass, it changed everything about how I thought about everything.” The song is politically driven and lyrically complex, reflecting on the tug-of-war of addressing society’s nefarious power structures while having to engage with them in order to exist.

Its closing verse is worth quoting at length:
“And they pacify you with the right to march and right to speak
Cos they know that you rely on them for everything you eat
And you’ll never truly break away or ever leave their side
Your humanity does not outweigh your will to survive
You associate survival with the order they provide
Like the government is vital for a people’s chance to thrive
Ain’t it funny how you don’t see them as people anymore?
Simply users and abusers, us and them, peace and war.”

Last month, Sunny War also shared the collab with WXPN Folk Show favorite Tré Burt, “Scornful Heart,” a mesmerizing and meditative about finding moments of joy in trying times, the laugh-to-keep-from-crying outlook to the world.

Sunny War’s Armageddon In A Summer Dress releases on New West Records on February 21st, and can be pre-ordered here. Right now, Sunny War’s only live dates are on record release day at Third Man Records in Nashville, and at Knoxville’s Big Ears Festival, March 27th to March 30th.

Following the release of her last album Anarchist Gospel in 2023, Sunny War played a stellar Free At Noon set; revisit that performance here.