It's a contenders week, which means we're updating our running list of the year's best songs with the latest cuts we can't stop listening to. These are the songs we love so much they could end up on our final, best-of-2025 lists.
This week, Brittany Luse, host of NPR's It's Been A Minute, joins us to share some of her picks. This includes the breathless, rapid-fire dance beats of U.K. producer Sherelle, nostalgic R&B from Natanya and the intricate jazz of Ekathé and El Mundo Limón. We've also got a roaring shoegaze cut from Wisp, a collaboration between Blonde Redhead and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus and more.
All Songs Considered 25th anniversary segment: Our No. 1 songs from 2019.
Weekly reset: Taiko and fireworks, Toyohashi, Japan.
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. You can also hear new songs from past episodes in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.
Featured artists and songs
- Sherelle & George Riley: "Freaky (Just My Type)," from With A Vengeance
- Blonde Redhead: "Rest Of Her Life (Choir Version)," from The Shadow Of The Guest
- Natanya: "Moviestar," from Feline's Return
- Wisp: "Save Me Now," from If Not Winter
- Ekathé and El Mundo Limón: "Baba" (single)
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