NPR

Viking's Choice: Ancient Metal, Soft Synths, The Perfect Choogle

On this week's playlist, a doomy and gorgeous incantation from Psalm Zero featuring Lingua Ignota, Pulse Emitter's emotionally rich synths and guitarist Chris Forsyth's ultimate form.
The Kraken Quartet collaborates with Hikes singer/guitarist Nay Wilkins on a lily-pad-jumping post-rock EP.

What better way to spend a beautifully sunny, long weekend than indoors on a liquid diet watching movies in a fever-induced haze? (Mashed potatoes and gravy count as liquid, right?) Between comfort viewings of Bob's Burgers and King of the Hill, I caught up on my queue.

chronicles what happens when the punk scene harshly turns its back for "selling out" in the aftermath of and . Despite thoughtfully musing on the need for mystery (to avoid questions about the stories or meanings of songs) and the artistic motion forward, singer/songwriter Blake Schwarzenbach looks pained throughout. There's some resolution at the end — the rightful reclamation of the major label debut , an extensive reissue campaign and 2017's reunion tour — but punk dealt Jawbreaker a swift kick in the side that never really healed.

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