For a band that just came out of high school, Brooklyn’s Petalwar have an incredible potential. They just released their “Purple Faced Winter” split single, and it’s got the emotional backing and tonal versatility of a band in their mid-twenties. The single is apparently PetalWar’s first release as a quartet, having started, and released their S/T EP as just a duo: Alex Ruiz on guitar/vocals, and Abbie Jones on drums. Lena Mandolina and Esme Ashley White joined later on lead guitar and bass, respectively, only adding to what was already a tremendous sound. Not necessarily tremendous in decibel-level (though they can get loud), but tremendous in weight and depth. They play (and play well) a grunge-infused indie rock that teeters between atonal uneasiness at certain times, breaking into roaring upheavals at others, often coupled with a surprising soothing solemnity. – JP Basileo
