“The Richest Witches of the West” is the gripping, trenchant new single from DC-based teenage quartet Petrichor. Infused with the city’s socially conscious punk legacy, the track channels clear-eyed anger toward systemic oppression and wealth extraction — brought on specifically by the actions of ICE and the Trump administration, in general. Moving from post-hardcore energy to a lounge-funk groove, it captures present chaos with a rebellious edge.

A subdued bass crawl opens the track with commanding intrigue, furthered by thrashing percussion and heavy guitar distortion. Augusta Smith’s biting lyrical prowess is on full display thereafter, depicting dark present times where “standing armies” and “soldiers with guns” cast ample anxiety upon the populace. “Don’t ignore it, ’cause this isn’t right,” the determined vocals continue, moving into a whispered delivery and bass-heavy re-emergence. “Don’t call them wicked, don’t ever call them wicked!” ferocious vocals move forth, utterly captivating in the alternations between raucous rock invigoration and bass-forward entrancement.

Lyrical perspectives on exploitation and money-first ideologies propel into a marching procession of drums and fuzzy guitars past the two-minute turn, steadily slowing down as the memorable final minute approaches. A funky, lush demeanor takes hold in the ensuing sequence, departing from the heavy rock ardor and into a more introspective, laid-back send-off. “The Richest Witches of the West” is a riveting, poignant success from Petrichor, capturing modern-day tumult through an intensely biting rock edge.

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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.

We discovered this release via MusoSoup.

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