The fourth MMMM of 2026 challenged solvers to find a band whose name is depicted six times in the grid. Hints for how to find these six depictions are provided by the puzzle’s title, “Capture the Flag,” and the overspecific clue for 1-Across (BORDERS) of [State separators]. As shown in the image to the left, there are six instances in the grid where the letters “GA” and “FL” are separated by a horizontal block of two black squares.

These letters spell out “FLAG” counterclockwise, indicating we’re on the right track and prompting a surprisingly large number of solvers to submit Black Flag. This answer, however, is incorrect, as we’d never use a key word like “Flag” in the title if it were also part of the meta answer. Sorry!

The intended answer comes from the realization that GA and FL are the state abbreviations for Georgia and Florida. As in the actual map, “GA” is always north of “FL.” The black squares between each “FLAG” depict the border between these two states – or, one could say, the Florida Georgia Line, the country music superstars, and this month’s meta answer.

Meta Song:

I went for a stripped-down solo piano version this month (aptly). Enjoy!

Selected Solver Comments:

ant   Damn…I was really getting excited for a Black Flag cover!

Abide   A day later and I see how the title applies. Very cool!

Jwaan   Huge hint at 1A—without that it probably could have run a few months later! And now I’m groaning because I only just figured out the title while writing this.

BethA   Great AHA moment! Thanks for a great puzzle! Sipping tea from my new MMMM mug is working!

Mike W   Fun puzzle – even geographically correct with Georgia north of Florida in each case.

Alternative Music Clues:

Stribbs suggests cluing STOP as [Sign often graffitied with “HAMMER TIME”] and RIGA as [Host of the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest].

pbfrommn suggests cluing TUG OF WAR as [1982 Paul McCartney album] and RETSINA as [Wine featured in a Steely Dan song inspired by a Greek epic poem].

Evan suggests cluing LOG as [“It’s big, it’s heavy, it’s wood” product in a “Ren & Stimpy” song], RIGA as [European home of the Mežaparks Great Bandstand], and STOP as [Word before “Children, what’s that sound?” and “in the name of love” in 1960s song lyrics].

EricH suggests cluing OGALLALA as [Nebraska city whose name is the title of a song on “The Past Is Still Alive” by Hurray for the Riff Raff], HERO as [“Working Class ___” (John Lennon song)], and STOP as [“___! In the Name of Love” (Supremes hit)].

EasyNow suggests cluing IRS as [Federal organization Rockwell wonders about when he sings “I wonder who’s watching me now?”] and HERO as [Title of both a 1993 Mariah Carey hit and a 2001 Enrique Iglesias hit].

Groaners:

Flinty Steve   If it’s actually Black Flag I’ll be in a black mood.

mmurphy   I got thrown off by some of the other possible state abbreviations abutting FL at first, but since I got the answer, I guess it was Meant To Be.

BrainBoggler   May we all find this one smooth and simple and cruise through it with no second guessing. This is how we roll round here.

Nikbar   Didn’t think they were all that popular, but I guess that’s just How You Roll!

Phantom Cream Pie   Tough freaking grid, Muller. Cruised to the meta answer once that box was full. That’s just how we roll.

Totals this month:

268 correct, 137 incorrect

Rating: 4.09 out of 5 stars

Difficulty: 2.96 out of 5

Monthly mug winner: David Bael from Minneapolis, MN

Thanks to Matt Gaffney for blogging the puzzle at Crossword Fiend, where you can rate the puzzle (thanks!) and/or leave a comment.

Thanks to Tamara Brenner for the graphic.

Thanks for playing and see you next month!