In an effort to reorganize Viking's Choice, I'm gonna try to parse out the regular features — the mixtape, the (hopeful return of the) Viking's Choice 6-Pack, the new By the Fruits series, the occasional listicle/essay — in separate spots instead of cramming one or two together. Maybe it'll help ease production flow so I don't feel pressure (all of my own making!) to write long intros to mixtapes or feel like I need to have a mixtape attached to a completely unrelated essay. I dunno! But here we go. I leave y'all with this mulleted roller-skating wonder from Iowa. —Lars Gotrich
P.S.: The original painting above is Synapse and Separation by Judith Lindbloom, a gift from my mom for my 40th birthday (it came in a frame, just needs a mat). I've only known Lindbloom's work for a few months, but have felt an instant connection since. She's had quite a life. You can find more paintings — and even buy them for reasonable prices — on her estate's Instagram profile.
Stream the Viking's Choice playlist via BNDCMPR. Follow my Bandcamp collection. Tracklist below:
Moor Mother (feat. Kyle Kidd, Keir Neuringer and Aquiles Navarro), "WE GOT THE JAZZ"
Amal (with THE KHAN & NAPPYNAPPA), "A New Dance"
Linda May Han Oh, "Circles"
Dorothy Moskowitz & The United States of Alchemy, "My Doomsday Serenade"
April Magazine, "Another Day"
Waterer, "Brutes Country Ghost"
HOLY FIGURES, "Donnybrook"
Crown of Asteria, "Far Shooter of the Moon"
Savage Oath, "Warlock's Trance"
Clergy, "Hallowed Tombs"
ATIVIN (feat. Natasha Noralmy), "Mountain Visions"
The Pines of Rome, "Slick Enhancer"
Laura Cannell, "Swarm Intelligence"
Daisy Rickman, "Haven"
Black Duck, "Of the Lit Backyards"
Post Moves, "Angels of Capital"
Saphron, "Daughter of Loneliness"
Distant Animals, "Corridor 1"
Japancakes, "When You Sleep"
Jess Williamson, "Hunter"
Charity Empressa, "A Brand New Shiloh"
Jogging House, "Words"
Namian Sidibé, "Souna"
Maral, "wondering dub"
James and the Giants, "Hall of Mirrors"