Charlotte, NC’s Petrov was formed in 2018 when guitarists Syd Little and Michael Backlund began writing with bassist Matt McConomy and drummer Garrett Herzfeld. After the band had a handful of songs down, they began the search for a vocalist. Mary Grace McKusick joined the band permanently, and thus Petrov was officially formed.

Petrov’s rolling, punchy verses break into crushing choruses that simultaneously feel novel and familiar. The band’s instrumentalists lean toward 70s and 80s post-pop and indie rock while McKusick writes choruses that beg to be screamed along with by a pile of kids at the front of a sweaty punk show. Her deeply personal lyrics cover everything from relationships, assault and manipulation, identity, and insecurity are relatable to any young person trying to figure themselves out.

After writing for a year, they recorded their debut EP. Altogether, the six songs comprising Sleep Year present the beginnings of a skillful young rock band artfully navigating their wide spectrum of influences.

The EP is limited to 100 copies in the first pressing on cassette and CD formats.