Portland-based singer and guitarist Owen Conforte has been kicking around the local music scene for the past several years as the front person of his band, OC and the Offbeats, and a member of The Fogcutters. He’s also played with Dean Ford & The Beautiful Ones and Jason Ward & The West End Mules. His debut EP “Lovely War” was released on New Year’s Day. He recorded, mixed and mastered it entirely on his own last year during quarantine. Conforte’s influences include Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Allen Stone, Leon Bridges and Chromeo.

“Lovely War” opens with the breezy pop-rock tune “It Feels Like,” which hums with new relationship vibes and features Conforte’s wide-open vocals in the refrain. The track also shows off Conforte’s capable guitar chops.

Here’s “It Feels Like:”