Last month, the Canadian band Preoccupations released their fifth album, Ill At Ease, which continues the band’s long-running streak of making smart, precise post-punk records that pack an emotional punch. This month, we are asking the band about some of the Best Songs for hyper-specific situations. From Wipers to Eno, their answers, as usual with this feature, did not disappoint. Read the article and listen to Ill At Ease below.

Best song to blast early in the morning to kick off a long, grueling drive to the next city?

“20220202” by Ryuichi Sakamoto (then play the rest of the whole 12 record) 

It’s better to start slow when there’s a long drive on the horizon, gotta save getting pumped up for later in the day.

Best song to play before you go on stage?

“Over the Edge” by Wipers

Gotta get pumped up for the show and this one does it every time.

Best song to play if you need to really focus hard?

Music for Airports by Brian Eno

This record just makes everything else blend into the background.

Best song by a 2000s post-punk band?

“Cracked Cup” by Fountain

Love the drum beat on this one!!

Best song that makes you want to headbang?

“Piece by Piece” by Slayer

Gotta headbang to Slayer! This one is on the line of being too fast to bang to though.

Best song to listen to at Tim Horton's?

“Lunatic Fringe” by Red Rider

Maybe the only good song you’d hear at a Tim’s?

Best song to listen to while power walking?

“I Dedicate My Life” by Marie Davidson

This one’ll get you walking real fast.

Best song to listen to after a long night out?

“Highway Star” by Deep Purple

Assuming you want to keep the party going, this’ll pump it up always.

Best song by a band that sounds like the opposite of your band?

“All Is Full of Love” by Bjork

Masterpiece of a song.