WINONA FIGHTER ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM
Photo: Hannah Hall
Following an incredible and non-stop 2025 that was defined by the release of their widely celebrated and critically acclaimed debut album My Apologies to The Chef, the fiercely energetic and rising punk group Winona Fighter shows absolutely no signs of slowing down their momentum anytime soon. Building upon that massive breakthrough, the band has officially announced their highly anticipated sophomore record, Brutal & Extremely Underrated, which promises to be a swaggering collection of powerful songs that cover everything from deeply personal insecurity to complicated friendships and a healthy distrust of the government. Brutal & Extremely Underrated is officially set to be released on 22nd January, 2027 via Rise Records and is readily available for pre-order and pre-save right now by following the link provided HERE.
Discussing the creative process and the evolution of the band, guitarist Dan Fuson shares: “On this record I think we as a band gelled more than we ever have and made space for each other while still elevating each song. The goal of serving each tune was always in mind and we hit the fricking bullseye.”
Echoing that sentiment with her own signature enthusiasm, front woman Coco Kinnon adds: “I f***ing love this record and I love that I got to make it (once again) DIY in a garage with my two favorite people,” continuing to note that, “I especially love that we get to give our fans and new listeners something real in a world of slop.”
Bringing the band's collective perspective together, bassist Austin Luther concludes: “In true Winona Fighter fashion, we put our blood, sweat, and tears into the making of this record. Our goal was to evolve as a band while still delivering the hard hitting and melodic songs we love to make. Please enjoy at full volume.”
Accompanying this massive album announcement comes the arrival of a delightfully grungy and brilliantly self-aware new single titled “LEECH”. Fans can dive right into the visual experience by watching the accompanying music video,which was expertly directed by Hannah Hall and fully embodies the song’s raw feelings of apprehension.
The punchy new single ‘LEECH’ serves as the second official track previewed from the forthcoming album, following in the footsteps of the explosive and confrontational lead single ‘BOMBS AWAY,’ which the band unleashed earlier this year. To craft the compelling cover art for Brutal & Extremely Underrated, Winona Fighter collaborated with self-taught artist Glen Martin Taylor. Known for exploring themes of transformation and healing through fractured pieces, Taylor’s artwork seamlessly matches the DIY ethos and raw authenticity that has continuously defined the band’s growing discography.
This announcement comes on the heels of a relentless touring schedule. Winona Fighter spent this past summer traversing the country alongside Honey Revenge, South Arcade, Games We Play, and Chase Petra as part of the idobi Radio Summer School Tour. In addition to recent high-profile performances sharing the stage with Shinedown, the trio has made memorable festival appearances at Vans Warped Tour in both Long Beach and Mexico City.
Looking ahead, the band will wrap up 2026 with a performance at Vans Warped Tour in Orlando, along with supporting Taking Back Sunday at their highly anticipated annual holiday show in December. Moving into next year, Winona Fighter is set to launch a major two-leg US headline tour starting on January 21st. For full tour routing, updates, or to purchase tickets, fans can visit: https://winonafighter.com/.
