In our final contenders episode of 2025, we've got some late additions to our running list of the year's best songs, including Robyn's first new release in seven years, the return of the existential shoegaze band Nothing, and of course we've gotta include Rosalía.
NPR Music editor Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hilton for this episode, which also includes our weekly reset: Walking through Nara Park (deer park) in Nara, Japan, on an autumn afternoon.
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Featured artists and songs
- Robyn: "Dopamine" (single)
- Rosalía: "Divinize," from LUX
- Snocaps: "Over Our Heads," from Snocaps
- Bassvictim: "Mr. President," from Forever
- Lola Young: "SPIDERS," from I'm Only F****** Myself
- Nothing: "cannibal world," from a short history of decay
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