War On Women and Smartpunk Records kick off a major new chapter with the announcement of the band’s fifth full-length album, ‘Time Under Tension,’ arriving May 8th, 2026. Known for pairing razor-sharp advocacy with explosive punk energy, the band stretches into alt-rock and indie textures on the new record, signaling both evolution and urgency.
The lead single, “Messages Unsent,” reveals a more vulnerable side. Vocalist Shawna Potter calls it the first true love song she has written for the band, reflecting on mortality, devotion, and the fear that comes with having something real to lose. The accompanying video revisits their first post-2020 tour, capturing the fragile joy of live music’s return and mirroring the song’s bittersweet emotional core.
With 11 new tracks blending muscle and melody, ‘Time Under Tension’ promises both catharsis and reflection. The band will support the release with a run of headline shows this spring, followed by dates alongside Subhumans in May.
TIME UNDER TENSION TRACK LIST:
- Precious Problem
- Spun Sugar
- Messages Unsent
- More Than Muscle
- Serve
- Shapes
- Feels Good
- Malevolence
- Balance
- The Movie Fear Starring Reese Witherspoon
- Hunger Stones
TOUR DATES:
03/18 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Little Giant
03/19 – Columbus, OH @ Used Kids Records
03/20 – St Louis, MO @ Duck Room
03/21 – Kansas City, MO @ Recordbar
03/23 – Denver, CO @ HQ
03/24 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Beehive
03/25 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Fest*
03/26 – Seattle, WA @ The Vera Project
03/27 – Portland, OR @ Dante’s
03/28 – Arcata, CA @ Rampart Skatepark
03/29 – Oakland, CA @ Doll Fest*
*No Oceanator
TOUR DATES (w/ Subhumans):
05/06 – Houston, TX @ Bad Astronaut
05/07 – Corpus Christi, TX @ House of Rock
05/08 – San Antonio, TX @ Rah Rah Room
05/09 – Austin, TX @ 29th Street Ballroom
05/10 – Dallas, TX @ AM/FM