The Contenders, Vol. 21: The songs we can't stop playing this week

All year long, we've been keeping a running list of our favorite songs. We call them contenders because they're tracks we love so much that they're in the running for a spot on our final, best-of-2024 lists.

We'll post those final, year-end lists starting the first week of December. But, before then, we've got one more update to our contenders list that includes the cathartic rock of Kassie Krut, a nerve-settling collaboration between the singers SOAK and Gordi, Katy J Pearson, Ethel Cain and more.

NPR Music editor Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hilton.

Featured artists and songs

1. Kassie Krut: "Reckless," from Kassie Krut
2. Gordi: "Reverie," from Lunch At Dune
3. Katy J Pearson: "Save Me," from Someday, Now
4. Freak Slug: "Ya Ready," from I Blow Out Big Candles
5. Hildegard: "Bach In Town," from Jour 15966
6. Ethel Cain: "Punish" (single)

Copyright 2024 NPR