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.

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’

Weekly reset: Walking through Nara Park (the deer park) in Nara, Japan, on an autumn afternoon.

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