The artist name and album title neatly capture the conflicts and contradictions of this record. Sunny War is a variation on her birthname, Sydney Ward, while ‘Armageddon in a Summer Dress’ reflects the contrast between the darker and political nature of her subject matter with the tuneful, rootsy accessibility of her songs. Her biography points to some of the themes developed. At 14, she experienced homelessness, spent her teenage years in hardcore bands and found herself in rehab at 20 by court order. One of the guests duetting with her on the record is Steve Ignorant of her all-time heroes, Crass, yet this could potentially give a misleading impression of the sounds within. The songs have a soulful approach, reflecting her appreciation that it is not just punk that is anti-establishment, citing examples from folk and blues of Pete Seeger, Woodie Guthrie and Robert Johnson.
‘One Way Train’ gives an excellent introduction to the album. Starting as a semi-acoustic piece, there is a rush of words that flows through the track, joined by Jo Schornikow’s keyboards which are a strong musical feature throughout, and she invites all aboard her left-brain, a place of “no police or state / And the fascists and the classists / All evaporate.” It is a song that recognises the world as it is while exuding positivity, a pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will approach. ‘Bad Times’ has a fairground organ and pop tunefulness that belies its tale of minimum wage life and absence of basic health.
Ward is blessed with an earthy, soulful voice which is particularly evident on ‘Rise’, a song with an arrangement that recalls 60s/70s anthemic soul, music for raising consciousness, but with reflective moments and bits of pedal steel for a country feel. Vibraphone, organ and guitars embellish ‘Ghosts’, a song based around moving into her late father’s house in Chattanooga, having visions and assuming the building was haunted. In reality, there was a minor gas leak in the house which was causing her hallucinations.
The first of four vocal collaborations, ‘Walking Contradiction’, sees her joined by Steve Ignorant. As with all the duets, Ward’s voice dominates although they take alternate lines on the chorus. Appropriately, it is the most Crass-like song in its political analysis with its references to war pigs and big wigs, as well as the bleak but realistic observation that “your humanity does not outweigh your will to survive.” Valerie June, whose ‘The Moon and Stars: Prescription for a Dream’ album is worth an hour of anyone’s time, takes up the baton on ‘Cry Baby’; their voices are similarly rich, giving the song a sense of layered vocals rather than a clash of different voices. Tré Burt also co-wrote as well as providing guitar and vocals to ‘Scornful Heart’. Incorporating pedal steel and a slower pace, it adds a country touch to the album’s soulful template and has the most discernible contrast in voices. ‘Gone Again’ features John Doe and includes the line that gives the album its title. Its tale of loveless marriage, having kids with successful careers while resenting them for the sacrifices made on their behalf paints a stark picture of conventional family life.
The dark mood continues on ‘Lay Your Mood Down’ all ominous organ swirls and vocal frustration. While at first glance ‘Debbie Downer’ might appear to be a negative way to end the record, there is a pop pep to its portrait of a character who is a “perpetually antsy / an infinite frowner.” In its determination to not allow such first world angst to hijack her mood, it makes for a positive conclusion, reinforcing the will to battle through life’s trials.
Sunny War: Armageddon in a Summer Dress – Out 21 February 2025 (New West Records)
War (feat. Steve Ignorant) – “Walking Contradiction” [Official Music Video]
I was editor of the long-running fanzine, Plane Truth, and have subsequently written for a number of publications. While the zine was known for championing the most angular independent sounds, performing in recent years with a community samba percussion band helped to broaden my tastes so that in 2021 I am far more likely to be celebrating an eclectic mix of sounds and enthusing about Made Kuti, Anthony Joseph, Little Simz and the Soul Jazz Cuban compilations as well as Pom Poko and Richard Dawson.
