The music of Sunny War speaks to experience, depth and passion. Her vocals hit to the core and make you listen. In the past, the albums of Sunny's are centered around incredible fingerwork on an acoustic guitar and those striking vocals. Her new release, and our album of the week, Anarchist Gospel, is a shift in that it features a full band, including players like Jim James, Allison Russell, David Rawlings, Micah Nelson (Willie's son) and the Raconteurs Jack Lawrence. Though a shift, it still listens and feels just like Sunny War.
Duality - du·al·i·ty /do͞oˈalədē/ - the quality or condition of being dual
'You're an angel. You're a demon.' - lyrics from 'No Reason'
The concept of duality is so much more human than thinking of things in black and white. Both can be true. Sunny can make music that is stripped down to the basics of songwriting and hit you hard. Sunny can make music that is full of dimension, layers of vocals and other plays, and tell the same story. You can be an angel, and a demon.
That idea of both things being true are at the core of her new album. War stated on the her Bandcamppage that the album is a reflection of her two sides, 'one that is very self-destructive and the other is trying to work with that other half to keep things balanced.'
And isn't duality really at the center of it all? No single person is only one thing. Truly understanding that is paramount for a more compassionate and empathetic experience.
Listen to Anarachist Gospel by Sunny War by listening to KAXE.
