For the second edition of Best Songs, we reached out to Graham Hunt. The Madison, Wisconsin-based singer and songwriter has been making some of the best indie pop in the game lately, breakbeat-driven concoctions that tie together moves from the great Midwestern power pop playback with production flourishes indebted to both Primal Scream and the Dust Brothers. Here are ten of his favorite songs for very specific situations.

Best song for charging up a mohawk?

“17 Years of Hell” by The Partisans

As a 16-year-old in the Milwaukee suburbs in the mid-2000s, I listened to a lot of British guys sing about being on the dole in the 1980s. Now, 17 years later, I’m 33 and have no prospects, and it actually feels like this song was written for me. Maybe I should get a mohawk again.

Best Madchester song?

“Fools Gold” by The Stone Roses 

When Oasis got signed to Creation they took them in the warehouse and said take whatever you want and they all laughed and said they already had Screamadelica, the rest is shit. I disagree with that, but point being there’s nothing worse than obscure Madchester.

Best song by a Wisconsin band?

“I Thought You Hated Me” by Combat Naps 

Neil plays bass in my band and he wrote this song. How did he do that? He goes to church so maybe god said: “Thanks for that Neal, here, have the best song ever.”

Best song to listen to in the van during an overnight drive?

“Lifestyle” by Rich Gang

Young Thug has a voice like a bugle, it's great for staying awake. I was coming back late from Milwaukee recently and was running this back due to the news about Rich Homie Quan, RIP.

Best song over eight minutes?

“Long Season” by Fishmans

27 minutes over the finish line here. Hard to beat that unless you’re Dopesmoker (boring).

Best song under a minute?

“Plague” by Mike Krol

I was still drinking when I was playing in Mike’s live band and sometimes I wouldn’t even mentally register that this song would happen. My favorite part is when he goes GOD DAMN.

“Ladyfingers” by Luscious Jackson

This is a tough one because there are so many that are close to my heart, so I’ll go with one I’ve had on repeat recently. Looks like it only peaked at number 28, however if you understand “late 90s radio hit” as style over attainment, I think it absolutely epitomizes it. Shoutout Jacob for putting me on.

Best song to make you feel like you are really old?

“Heavy Water / I’d Rather Be Sleeping” by Grouper

After I turned 30 I spent about a year coming home from work at 9 p.m., taking one hit of weed, putting this song on, and immediately going to sleep.

Best comedy song?

“Lenny Bruce” by Bob Dylan

A funny song about comedy.

Best song for ending a mixtape?

“To Love Somebody” by Nina Simone 

I have a bad habit of going a little too nuclear on playlists. This one is hard to follow in terms of intensity, so it’s gotta be last. Really cool drumming.