The Growers is the solo project of Steven Boyle from Pleasant Hill, California, that sees him crafting home-recorded punk rock tunes. Self-described as “emotional bedroom punk,” this apt tagline perfectly encapsulates Boyle’s raw and heartfelt sound. I quickly became a fan of Boyle’s songwriting after hearing the album and EP he released in 2024, and his latest EP fortifies my belief that The Growers is a must-listen if you are into raw, emo-tinged punk rock.

For the 5-song Evergreen EP, Boyle delved into his archive of unused and unfinished song ideas, reworked the material and wrote new words to the music – dating as far back to 2009 in case of the title track, a melancholic tune that is one of the standout tracks on the EP. It’s followed by the acoustic yet powerful Empty Pages, and preceded by another highlight in the anthemic Houseplants.

Boyle handles nearly all aspects of the recording, with his buddy Nick Stockton playing harmonica on the closing track. The abstract, tree-like album art? A fossil from a stepping stone in Boyle’s garden – further evidence of his multifaceted talents.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp