Hello again Utah23..... very very doubtful if it`s anything like that, especially as you wash your hair/ head daily. You say you don`t sweat a lot... is your scalp oily at all ? Even if it is, it would have to `build up`before you would notice any kind of unpleasant smells. Being as the hat/cap you are wearing is new, I wonder is it something in the manufacturing process or are there any joins anywhere on it that might have some type of adhesive -- possibly that is what you are smelling...... the only time I ever had that issues [many will bear me out here ] is when I wore all -poly systems and the bond was in place for 3 to 4 weeks [ !!! ] When that came off my head------- well, I won`t turn anyone`s stomach with the graphic details !!! Lace is a light fabric so from that point of view --it is absorbent, but my scalp tends to be oily, yet I have no issues with any unpleasantness like you describe, even though I only wash it infrequently [the system that is] but wash the scalp daily. I just can`t imagine oil from your head being the cause ...... I think it`s coming from the cap you`re wearing....obviously I`m only guessing, but just logic alone would rule out any other possibility.....you didn`t have that issue before while your hair was short, and letting it grow a bit obviously will not cause it, and the only `` new `` thing is the head-wear, so my guess is it`s something to do with that. Try wearing some other type /make of cap and see what happens...is quite strange really..... keep us posted. Paul.