Though it calls Oregon home, Portland trio Dowager more accurately recalls the sounds of Boston in the early 2000s, taking parts of American Nightmare’s heart-on-sleeve hardcore and playing it like Converge going through a manic fit. This Friday, the band will release its latest EP, Title Track, but The A.V. Club is streaming it all now. Speaking with Decibel, Dowager’s guitarist-vocalist Benardo Relampagos described the band’s approach as “taking pop songs and stretching them as far as they will go,” which is wildly apparent on Title Track. There’s plenty to latch onto, with memorable guitar riffs anchoring the most agitated moments and Relampagos spitting out phrases that pull in more than they push.
Pre-orders for Title Track are available through Standard Brick Houses.