Hey there, and welcome back to the chaos!

I'm really glad you're here. Whether you're hiding from your coworkers, pretending to work, or just taking a few minutes to yourself, thanks for spending part of your day with us.

Today's newsletter was brought to you by whatever is happening at my desk right now. I've got one cup of G FUEL for energy (I finished off the peach rings one and now I’m on the hunt for more), one cup of water because apparently we're supposed to be responsible adults, and a Diet Coke because... balance? I guess? At this point I'm basically running on caffeine, questionable decisions, and a playlist that's probably louder than it needs to be.

So settle in, have a laugh, discover some music, and remember—life's a lot more fun when you don't take everything so seriously.

Now let's get into it.

It's time for this week's impossible rock decision...

Would you rather attend any concert in history... or spend one hour backstage with your favorite band?

Front row at Queen's legendary Live Aid performance?
Woodstock?
Metallica in a tiny club before they became legends?
The very first Van Halen tour?

OR...

Would you trade that once-in-a-lifetime concert experience for an hour backstage with your favorite band? No crowds. No stage lights. Just getting to hear the stories, ask the questions you've always wanted answered, and see what really happens behind the curtain.

There's no wrong answer... but you only get one.

Producer Laura's Pick of the Week: "Enter Sandman" – Rina Sawayama

When most people think of "Enter Sandman," Metallica's iconic 1991 version immediately comes to mind. So taking on one of the biggest rock songs ever written is a bold move—but Rina Sawayama didn't just cover it, she completely reinvented it.

Released in 2021 as part of The Metallica Blacklist, a tribute album celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Black Album, Rina's version blends heavy guitars with electronic production, soaring vocals, and a cinematic atmosphere that's unmistakably her own. Rather than trying to imitate James Hetfield, she transforms the song into something fresh while still honoring what made the original so legendary.

Born in Japan and raised in the United Kingdom, Rina Sawayama has built a reputation for refusing to stay in one genre. Her music pulls from rock, metal, pop, R&B, and electronic influences, making every release feel unpredictable in the best way. That fearless approach is exactly why her take on "Enter Sandman" stands out among the many covers on The Metallica Blacklist.

If you've never heard this version before, do yourself a favor and give it a listen. Even if you're a lifelong Metallica fan, you may find yourself hearing one of rock's biggest songs from an entirely new perspective.

Well... this certainly wasn't on our 2026 bingo card.

A museum in Rotterdam, Netherlands, has recreated an art installation by late Dutch artist Wim T. Schippers by spreading more than 800 pounds of peanut butter across the gallery floor. That's roughly enough peanut butter to make 15,000 sandwiches.

The piece, appropriately named "Peanut Butter Floor" (Pindakaasvloer), was originally created in 1969 and has become one of Schippers' most recognizable works. To honor the artist after his passing, museum staff followed his detailed instructions to recreate it—including making sure the peanut butter was spread "smoothly and boringly." Yes... those were actual instructions.

Visitors are even greeted with a warning if they have a peanut allergy... and apparently the smell of peanut butter hits you before you even reach the exhibit.

Now, we appreciate art around here... but we're pretty sure if we spilled 800 pounds of peanut butter on the studio floor, our first thought wouldn't be, "Quick! Somebody call the museum!"

Buuuuuuut if it was weird enough for you, horns up dude! Welcome to the Chaos!