When the four members of Preoccupations wrote and recorded their new record, they were in a state of near total instability. Years-long relationships ended; they left homes behind. As a result, 'Preoccupations' bears the visceral, personal sound of holding onto some steadiness in the midst of changing everything. As always, there is something crystalline to what they've made, a blast of cold air in a burning hot place. All this adds up to 'Preoccupations': a singular, bracing collection that proves what's punishing can also be soothing.