WARGIRL is Matt Wignall’s attempt to conjure the exhilarating feel and analog sound of War, Fela Kuti, Chaka Khan, and other such soulful, socially charged ’70s rock acts. Wignall, best known as a producer for the Cold War Kids, recruited a large cast of characters to bring this vision to life: Cold War Kids members Nathan Willet and Matt Maust on bass and organ (replaced in the live band by Tamara Raye and Enya Preston), percussionists Erick Diego Nieto and Jeff Suri, plus dueling vocalists Anne Dereaux and Marika Dahlin up front.

On the pair of singles WARGIRL introduce themselves with today, that jumble of musicians assembles into a powerful unit. “Mess Around (Song For The Man)” is a bit of politicized girl-group pop, while “People” — which arrives with a video directed by Wignall — is the kind of groove you can get lost in. Both tracks are infectious, and you can check them out below.

Wargirl play The Music Box in San Diego on 9/3. Both “Mess Around (Song For The Man)” and “Person” are available as free downloads on SoundCloud for the next week.