Tiktok has a bad rap for being nothing but repetitive trends and shop ads, but I’ve found it’s actually a pretty great place for connecting with other zinesters. Case in point, that’s how I learned about “Hi-Fi Anxiety”, Jason Boardman’s pop-punk-infused zine series.

Issues of “Hi-Fi Anxiety” are flipstyle, set up like a record: you read half the zine until you get to the centerfold, then flip it over and read the B-side. The centerfolds always feature a mixtape playlist, and this series is also chockful of other delightful surprises: some come packaged with 7″ records, others are blind box zines packaged in opaque black bags — rip one open and discover which of the 24 “fun-size” issues you receive. (My mystery issue was full of 10 years worth of song lyrics!) Issue #17 contained a mix cd that hasn’t left my husband’s car stereo since I popped it in the player over a month ago — a damn good mix of pop-punk and power-pop hits. My favorite of the lot was fun-size #10, which tells the stories behind some of the pins on Jason’s guitar strap. It even came with a handful of buttons, including a lime green one proclaiming “Let’s trade zines” that instantly found a spot on favorite denim jacket.

I’ve talked a lot about all the extras that make “Hi-Fi Anxiety” so much fun, but it would all be for nothing if the stories inside each issue stunk. Luckily that isn’t the case. Jason writes about music and punk culture with passion. He shares deep-dives on some of his favorite bands and stories from his time running Cheapskate Records. If you’re a fan of pop punk, you’re gonna dig these zines!