It always helps to find the good in a bad situation, which is exactly what Sunny War does on her latest album, “Armageddon in a Summer Dress.”
Released Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, the fifth album from Sunny War blends rock ‘n’ roll, folk, pop, and rhythm and blues to create what has quickly become my favorite release of the year.
Sydney Ward better known as Sunny War from Nashville, Tennessee, expands her signature singer-songwriter sound with a full band that leans into her punk rock roots.
“Touring behind ‘Anarchist Gospel’ made me want to make a bigger-sounding record and have a whole band rather than just playing solo acoustic or with a three-piece,” Ward said in a release. “I wanted to try stuff out of my comfort zone and try to have more fun playing. I definitely wanted to make this album for a badass five-piece band.”
The album opens with the pop-driven “One Way Train,” which starts with an acoustic intro before bursting into an offbeat pop-rock groove reminiscent of Tune-Yards.
The record then drifts into the breezy “Bad Times,” an upbeat track that lets everything go while hoping misfortune stays away.
“To me, it’s the same kind of music. If you’re into punk for the lyrics and the message, there’s definitely a lot of old-time music that has that spirit. Folk used to be very anti-establishment. Pete Seeger, union songs, Woody Guthrie—that’s punk rock shit. It’s all about being an outsider,” she said.
The album also features Steve Ignorant of Crass on “Walking Contradiction,” Philadelphia Folk Festival alum Valerie June on “Cry Baby,” Tré Burt on “Scornful Heart,” and John Doe of X on “Gone Again.”
I love the bass line on “Rise,” which pairs Ward’s bright vocals with a classic rhythm and blues melody, creating a timeless vibe.
“Ghost” has one of my favorite rhythms on the album, inspired by Ward’s belief that her house was haunted.
“Something broke and I had to fix it, so I called the gas company even though I didn’t have the money. The guy discovered major gas leaks all over the house,” she said. “I thought I was losing my mind, but I was just hallucinating from the gas. After I got that fixed, I never saw or heard another ghost.”
“Walking Contradiction” carries an early punk rock energy, following a path laid down by the beats of the 1965s—a connection Ward acknowledges.
“They’re all just beatniks. That’s what I’m calling people now. They’re all different, but they’re just artists, poets. They all have that aesthetic, in their own way,” she said.
June’s signature soulful sound blends seamlessly with Sunny War on “Cry Baby,” creating an instant classic that is raw and heartbreakingly beautiful.
In a compelling tracklist choice, “Cry Baby” is followed by “No One Calls Me Baby,” a song that highlights contrast with a darker tone, driven by a haunting piano-led melody.
“Scornful Heart” brings a touch of country twang before building into an acoustic interlude and a powerful outro, with Ward echoing Burt.
Doe’s presence is unmistakable on “Gone Again,” which features a psychedelic, guitar-led melody that morphs into a swirling wall of sound.
“Lay Your Body” is the slowest, darkest track on the album, before transitioning into the closer, “Debbie Downer,” one of the brightest. The latter flips the idea of a downer on its head, transforming it into an upbeat anthem.
With “Armageddon in a Summer Dress,” Sunny War turns the apocalyptic into something beautifully defiant. This record proves she’s not just surviving—she’s thriving.
Catch Sunny War on tour with The Dead South:
- May 3 – The National, Richmond, Virginia
- May 4 – Penn’s Peak, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
- May 6 – State Theatre of Ithaca, Ithaca, New York
And solo:
- July 5 – River Roads Music Festival, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Get “Armageddon in a Summer Dress” from New West Records, Bandcamp, Amazon, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, Deezer and qobuz.
Favorite Tracks:
One Way Train
Bad Times
Rise
Ghost
Walking Contradiction
Cry Baby
No One Calls Me Baby
Debbie Downer
