JOHNNYSWIM is back, and this time, they’ve brought the emotional equivalent of a gut punch wrapped in gorgeous melodies. Their fifth album, When The War Is Over, landed on February 7, and it’s as brilliant as you’d expect from Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez – the husband-and-wife duo who have been making us feel all the things for nearly two decades.
If you’ve been sleeping on JOHNNYSWIM (first of all, how dare you?), here’s a quick refresher: Amanda is the daughter of disco queen Donna Summer, and Abner is a musical genius in his own right. Together, they’ve crafted a sound that’s equal parts folk, pop, soul, and the kind of storytelling that makes you want to sit in a dark room and stare at the ceiling for a bit. They’ve racked up over 575 million streams, torn up festival stages, and even graced NPR’s Tiny Desk – basically, they stay winning. And now, they’re giving us When The War Is Over – an album born from some of the toughest times in their lives.
A Soundtrack for Surviving the Mess
The duo describes this album as a reflection of struggle, therapy, and actually feeling their feelings instead of running from them. (Relatable, much?) They recorded it the old-school way – live, in a room, with their favourite musicians – and you can feel that authenticity in every note. Every instrument has a pulse. Every lyric holds significance. It’s an album that holds your hand while reminding you that, yeah, life’s a mess, but you’re not alone in it.
The Track That’ll Stick With You: ‘Dopamine’
The album’s big focus track, Dopamine, features the one and only Tobe Nwigwe, and it’s a stunner. It kicks off with Tobe’s razor-sharp delivery over a beat so heavy it practically stomps through your speakers. Then Amanda and Abner’s harmonies slide in, full of warmth, pain, and introspection. It’s a song about chasing highs, crashing down, and finding something honest in between – and it’s got that signature JOHNNYSWIM charm that makes you want to hit repeat.
Tour, Late Night & More
If you’re lucky enough to be in London or Amsterdam this May, JOHNNYSWIM is bringing the album to life on stage. They’ll be at Scala in London on May 20 (joined by Yasmin Hass) and at Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam on May 21. And if you can’t make it, at least catch them on Jimmy Kimmel Live! below:
Final Thoughts? Stream It, Cry, Repeat.
When The War Is Over is one of those albums that sits with you. It’s about resilience, vulnerability, and finding hope in the wreckage. Whether you’ve been a JOHNNYSWIM fan since day one or you’re just now discovering their magic, this album is worth every second of your time.
Stream it. See them live. Feel your feelings. That’s an order.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
20 March – The Vogue Theatre, Indianapolis
21 March – Brown Theatre, Louisville, KY
22 March – Coca-Cola Roxy, Atlanta, GA
24 March – ACL Live at The Moody Theatre, Austin, TX
25 March – House of Blues, Dallas, TX
More dates available here.
