The Contenders, Vol. 5: The songs we can't stop playing this week

Every other week or so, we update a running list we keep of the year's best songs — tracks we love so much, they're contenders for a spot on our Best Of 2025 lists. On our latest episode, we've got the cinematic pop of Oklou, Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir, the experimental hip-hop group clipping. and more.

NPR Music's Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton.

Featured artists and songs

1. Oklou: "family and friends," from 'choke enough'
2. Anna Thorvaldsdottir: "Part V" and "Part VIII," from 'UBIQUE'
3. clipping.: "Keep Pushing," from 'Dead Channel Sky'
4. Sandbox Percussion: "Don't Look Down," from 'Cerrone: Don't Look Down'
5. Lucrecia Dalt: "cosa rara" (feat. David Sylvian) (single)
6. Anouar Brahem: "The Eternal Olive Tree," from 'After the Last Sky'

Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org. Hear the songs in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.

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