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The Contenders, Vol. 20: The Beths, Dustin O’Halloran, Nicholas Payton and more

The Beths.
Frances Carter
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ANTI-
The Beths.

We've got six must-hear songs to add to our running list of the year's best tracks, including some shredding from The Beths, a gorgeous solo piano piece from Dustin O'Halloran, sublime jazz from Nicholas Payton and more.

Contributor and resident jazz head Keanna Faircloth joins host Robin Hilton for this episode, which also includes our weekly reset: A late-summer day at the playground.


Featured artists and songs:

  • The Beths: "No Joy," from Straight Line Was A Lie
  • Nate Smith & Saje: "Big Fish," from Live Action
  • Dustin O'Halloran: "Gold" (Single)
  • Dara Starr Tucker: "Pure Imagination," from Time Wouldn't Wait
  • Grumpy: "Crush," from Piebald
  • Nicholas Payton (with Esperanza Spalding and Karriem Riggins): "Let It Ride," from Triune

Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome at allsongs@npr.org. Sign up for the Pod Club newsletter at www.npr.org/podclub.

Copyright 2025 NPR

Robin Hilton
Robin Hilton is the Senior Podcast Producer for NPR Music. He also hosts the New Music Friday episodes of All Songs Considered.
Keanna Faircloth
Keanna Faircloth began her career in broadcasting in 2003. In 2018 she created the podcast, Artimacy, which she describes as a platform, "where art and intimacy meet." The podcast is a two-hour program that spotlights music from Jazz to Soul, and beyond, and features artist interviews airing every Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on DC Radio 96.3 HD4. Most recently, she served as the host of Afternoon Jazz on WBGO 88.3 FM in Newark, NJ. While at WBGO, Keanna created and produced the widely acclaimed interview series, The Pulse.