Los Angeles-based rockers Young Winona have debuted their first track of 2022 with the face-blistering “Red Dress.” Led as always by the electrifying wails of Cassie Gaffaney, the song is a combustible clamor of guitar fury and manic drumming.
Like their previous singles, “Red Dress” hammers incessantly at the band’s love of 90s alternative giants — Pixies, Blur, Nirvana — and their contemporary reincarnations in Best Coast and Courtney Barnett. But like the latter, Young Winona cut their bodacious rock with their exorbitant sonics.
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On “Red Dress” that sound coalesces around Cassie’s compelling lyricism, her galvanizing riffs aimed at bassist Geof Maddock’s torrent, and drummer Nick Gaffaney’s relentless pummeling. As well as a particular lightning bolt of a riff that cuts through the track in ecstasy right as the song reaches its zenith.
The music video for “Red Dress,” directed by Ed Shiers, captures all the berserk energy Young Winona wield performing live. A scene brought to its own height when — in her blazing red blazer — Cassie rips into that aforementioned riff with a euphoric fervor on her white-hot guitar.
“This is pretty much our whole-hearted ode to 90s band, Elastica. Fuck it, we love them. I remember when we were rebranding as Young Winona, they were pretty influential in our new sound,” the band said of the single. “Our friend Ed Shiers made this video for us. One day he put a call out on Instagram offering his filmmaking services free of charge as a way to alleviate the stagnation of pandemic life. On a whim, I sent him the song – he loved it and he chose to work with us. We spent a day in a downtown photography studio, pretending to look cute while playing our instruments. So grateful for the collaboration.”
Catch Young Winona live in Los Angeles on March 31 at Permanent Records Roadhouse, and keep an eye out for Young Winona’s next single “Sadistic” out May 18. Visit Young Winona’s Bandcamp, Twitter, and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
