Hannah Wicklund unleashes “Red Gorilla”

South Carolina singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and visual artist Hannah Wicklund has released her new single, “Red Gorilla,” the latest preview of her forthcoming fourth studio album, War On Women; Calling All Good Men, due August 28 via Strawberry Moon Records.

Built around a funky blues rock groove, “Red Gorilla” showcases Wicklund’s guitar work with wah-driven riffs and soaring solos while paying tribute to Harambe, the gorilla whose 2016 death at the Cincinnati Zoo sparked worldwide attention. The accompanying music video features Wicklund performing in front of her own painting of Harambe.

“Red Gorilla was written ten years ago, the day the Harambe the Gorilla was shot and killed at the Cincinnati Zoo. It still to this day is a dark stain on American and Human history,” Wicklund said.

“In this song, my aim is to remind the listener that the warning lights have been flashing for a long time, and that money and greed will not save us from our fate if we do not work to heal this earth and the societies that have destroyed it. Human beings are but a small piece of a far greater ecosystem, and we must radically choose to care for our environment, or we will be even more lost as a species than we are right now.”

War On Women; Calling All Good Men follows Wicklund’s 2024 album The Prize and marks her first full-length release since regaining control of her career after a prolonged battle to retain the rights to her music. The 13-song album explores themes of social change, personal resilience and environmental awareness while blending rock, blues, soul, folk, gospel and pop influences.

The album’s title track was released on June 29 as an a cappella performance. Wicklund said the song was inspired by events spanning nearly a decade.

“‘War On Women’ is a song that I began writing in 2016,” says Hannah. “The day I learned about the abuse so many girls suffered from at the hands of Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics, and finished eight years later, the weekend after the 2024 election when the phrase “Your Body, My Choice” was touted as a victory slogan amongst boys and men. I alchemized my rage into a song meant to be a call to action for all the good men of this world to take a stand and begin using their power and their voices to protect women and girls instead of predators; for only then can we call you our brothers and only then can we keep you as lovers.”

Wicklund also revealed an unconventional release strategy for the album. While the vinyl and CD editions will arrive in full on August 28, the album’s 13 tracks will be released individually to streaming platforms over the course of a year, with each song arriving on a full moon.

Alongside the music, Wicklund has launched The Strawberry Moon Tribune, an independent arts and culture magazine that she serves as editor-in-chief. Each issue corresponds with a single from the album and is released on each new moon, featuring contributions from artists and experts exploring the themes behind the music.

TRACK LISTING

War On Women
Red Gorilla
Evil Is A Corporation
Marionettes
The Pier
Diamonds
Daggers
The Token
Whistle To Blow
Stockholm
Cowards & Kings
Total Truth
Calling All Good Men