Petaluma＜Colored Vinyl＞

SoCal acoustic emo band This Wild Life return with the affable Petaluma, their third offering for the Epitaph label. Originally a full-bore pop-punk/emo act who rocked at full volume, the core duo of Kevin Jordan (vocals, guitar) and Anthony Del Grosso (guitar) reconfigured themselves in 2013 as an acoustic songwriter act with emo sensibilities. First with 2014's Clouded, then on 2016's Low Tides, they explored the softer side of the emo sphere, from brooding balladry to dreamy harmonic pop. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't, but they managed to earn themselves a fervent fan base and acceptance among the Warped Tour crowd as one of the few representatives of that scene's gentler side. In a decided attempt to move away from the darker-hued vibes of Low Tides, Jordan and Del Grosso opt for a brighter, more optimistic tone on Petaluma. From the breezy and romantic folk-pop of "Catie Rae" and "College Kids" to the soaring indie folk of "Never Believe," the songs are earnestly delivered in the slickly arranged -- though slightly warmer -- format of their previous two records. ~ Timothy Monger