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Hamilton Leithauser knows his way around heartbreak. The St. Albans alum and former vocalist for rock band the Walkmen did pen “The Rat,” an incendiary song about bitterness, spite, and self-loathing, after all. Leithauser’s vocal delivery is precise: He seethes through the lyrics, and seamlessly transitions into the sort of crooning that a drunk might use to console himself. The days of the Walkmen are long behind us, though—the band announced an indefinite hiatus last year—and Leithauser’s new album, Black Hours, takes a step toward maturity. It features more diverse instrumentation with fewer searing guitars, replacing Leithauser’s trademark snarl with a gentler delivery. Luckily, the music’s no less catchy: The single “Alexandra” is as propulsive as anything the Walkmen ever recorded. Aside from the innate amusement that comes from performing at a venue that shares his name, Hamilton at the Hamilton is the perfect opportunity to see the former frontman come into his own as a solo artist. Hamilton Leithauser performs with Torres at 7:30 p.m. at the Hamilton, 600 14th St. NW. $18–$20. (202) 787-1000. thehamiltondc.com.