All Songs Considered

The Contenders, Vol. 22: Geese, Dijon, Juana Molina, more

October 14, 2025

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  • The episode of All Songs Considered, "The Contenders, Vol. 22: Geese, Dijon, Juana Molina, more," features NPR Music's Dora Levite joining host Robin Hilton to update their running list of the year's best songs. 
  • The discussion highlights Geese's track "Islands of Men" as a powerful, evolving rock song with slippery, hard-to-place influences, and Juana Molina's "Siestas ahí" as a return from the electronic/folk artist featuring glitchy sounds that evoke magical creatures. 
  • Dijon's song "Yamaha" is noted for explicitly sampling Laurie Anderson's "O Superman," while Devin Shaffer's "All My Dreams Are Coming True" is described as a heart-wrenching track capturing the weariness and longing of being an adult away from home. 

Segments

Episode Introduction and Guest Welcome
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(00:01:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Dora Levitt returns to All Songs Considered for a contenders episode updating the year’s best songs list.
  • Summary: Robin Hilton welcomes Dora Levitt back to the show. They establish the episode’s purpose: updating their running list of the year’s best songs for their final 2025 lists.
Geese’s ‘Islands of Men’ Debut
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(00:02:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Geese’s track ‘Islands of Men’ is highlighted for its massive, building crescendo and slippery, genre-defying sound.
  • Summary: Dora introduces Geese. They play ‘Islands of Men.’ The hosts discuss the song’s structure as a six-minute crescendo, its unique sound compared to bands like Girl Band, and its influences, including Talking Heads and Led Zeppelin.
Juana Molina’s New Album Announcement
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(00:10:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Argentinian artist Juana Molina is releasing her first album in eight years, titled ‘Doga,’ featuring the track ‘Siesta Ahi.’
  • Summary: Dora introduces Juana Molina, noting her long wait between records. They discuss the new track ‘Siesta Ahi,’ describing its sound as ‘pixelated pastoral’ and praising her ability to make glitchy digital sounds feel alive.
Dijon’s ‘Yamaha’ and Laurie Anderson Sample
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(00:20:11)
  • Key Takeaway: Dijon’s song ‘Yamaha’ is praised for its Prince-like production and its subtle, yet clear, sample of Laurie Anderson’s ‘O Superman.’
  • Summary: The hosts discuss songs stuck in their heads before playing Dijon’s ‘Yamaha.’ Dora points out the sample of Laurie Anderson’s ‘O Superman.’ They analyze the song’s themes of devotion to family and its blend of gospel, funk, and rock influences.
Devin Schaefer’s Emotional Debut Track
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(00:29:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Devin Schaefer’s song ‘All My Dreams Are Coming True’ is emotionally resonant, capturing the weariness and longing of being in an in-between stage of adulthood.
  • Summary: Robin plays a track recommended by Dora: Devin Schaefer’s ‘All My Dreams Are Coming True’ from the album Patience. They discuss the song’s heartbreaking lyrics about feeling numb while claiming dreams are coming true.
Agriculture’s Ecstatic Black Metal Evolution
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(00:36:11)
  • Key Takeaway: Agriculture’s ‘Hallelujah’ showcases a wild evolution, moving from a glam rock groove to a Midwest emo jam after a long, intentional pause.
  • Summary: Dora introduces Agriculture, whose album The Spiritual Sound is described as ’ecstatic black metal.’ They discuss how the song’s long pause forces listener engagement, contrasting the heavy opening with the folky, emo-like ending.
Alien Boy’s Guitar Rock Revival
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(00:43:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Alien Boy’s ‘Cold Air’ proves guitar rock is alive with a sound reminiscent of shoegaze giants like Smashing Pumpkins and My Bloody Valentine.
  • Summary: Robin plays ‘Cold Air’ by Alien Boy from the album You Want to Fade. He uses the track to counter the idea that guitar rock is dead, praising its raw, shimmery guitar work.