Dowsing – “Kept Me Around” (Stereogum Premiere)

Dowsing – “Kept Me Around” (Stereogum Premiere)

Dowsing didn’t have to release a third album. Their first two — 2012’s It’s Still Pretty Terrible and 2013’s I Don’t Even Care Anymore — solidified their place in the modern emo canon, and it’s not like the road to their next record has been easy. The Chicago band’s been through a number of lineup changes and setbacks, but they’ve persevered and created what could be their best record yet. It’s untitled, but goes by OKAY if necessary, a mutable identity for a group that’s cycled through a number of them in the past.

“Kept Me Around,” the record’s lead single, sees the band at their most blisteringly sweet: “I thought I found something I could get used to in you,” Erik Czaja sings in the chorus, but that touching sentiment is surrounded by verses that describe how we push each other away when we’re feeling most vulnerable, how we’re perpetually careening into failure. “It’s hard for me to show how much I care, and I suppose it’s hard on you as well, but somehow you kept me around,” the track opens, a testament to the forgiving and strengthening power of love. Dowsing are back, baby, and it feels so good. Listen below.

Tracklist:
01 “Wasted On Hate”
02 “Feeling Better”
03 “Kept Me Around”
04 “Grunge For Life”
05 “Dissolve”
06 “Finally Ghost”
07 “Born To Soar”
08 “I’m Sorry, You’re Great”
09 “Outside”
10 “Red Legs Kicking”

Dowsing’s new album is out 4/29 via Asian Man Records in the US and Dog Knights Productions in the UK/EU.

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