Scowl have pulled off the art of the hardcore swerve. Where the Santa Cruz band’s debut full-length, How Flowers Grow, and its subsequent stylistic crossover appeal made many within the scene brace themselves for the possibility that behind frontperson dynamo Kat Moss’ superpower ability to teeter the pit and bigger festival stages in both growl and anthem meant they’d be going full-on pop mode, its follow-up, the five-song extended play, Psychic Dance Routine, digs deeper into their roots where it counts without relinquishing their alt-rock star dreams. It’s easy to hear why many would have assumed they’d be pulling a Paramore or Turnstile, or whatever the fuck they’re calling it these days. The three promo singles they released ahead of its drop, “Shot Down”, the album’s title track, and “Opening Night” are melodically coarse pop jams beefed up by producer Will Yip (Title Fight, Citizen,) recalling the balancing act ambitions of the Breeders and L7. Still, “Wired” and the no-minced-words closer, “Sold Out”, prove Moss, guitarists Malachi Greene and Mikey Bifolco, bassist Bailey Lupo, and bassist Cole Gilbert haven’t abandoned that unhinged sound and fury which has made them one of the best and most fun live acts in modern hardcore. Moss’ lyrics scream self-awareness of the band’s place living in both worlds, and how nothing can be written off as mere performance if you’re sticking your true guts out on the floor. If boy bands like Fiddlehead, Angel Du$t, Militarie Gun and Drug Church can keep their hardcore cred because the scene’s gatekeepers conveniently dub them “litecore,” then I guess that puts Scowl in a category all their own.

Highlights: “Shot Down”, “Wired”, “Opening Night”

Scowl’s Psychic Dance Routine is available now on Flatspot Records.

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