geese

Dec 22 2025

Songs You May Have Missed in 2025

Yes, I listen to a ton of new music. And I talk about it here.

There was the Top 5 Songs post. And Songs 6-13. And Songs 14-20.

Plus there were the Next Big Things that I posited a guess about.

In any event, there’s likely something that I missed. Or a few somethings. Here goes…call this a bonus music post.

Wet Leg, “Catch These Fists”

This song that was number one on Sirius XMU’s year-end list but…

Music is subjective, the band is talented, but this song didn’t jump out to me. It’s solid, Top 40, you’ll probably still be hearing it in a couple years.

Alex G, “Afterlife”

This is simply a fun song. Great voice, great guitar.

Tame Impala, “End of Summer”

Tame Impala — the project of Australian Kevin Parker — has made other appearances on my year-end lists; “It Might Be Time” is one of those pandemic-era songs for me.

This one is quite good, and Tame Impala keeps launching new stuff, so that’s fun. Get yourself on the list for the Tame Impala 25th Anniversary Tour in 2032, as I’m sure they’ll still be at it.

CMAT, “Euro-Country”

I’m a big fan of Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, stage name “CMAT,” as evidenced by her appearance at number 3 on this year’s list with “The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station.”

“Euro-Country” shows her range as a musician. I’m in.

Geese, “Au Pays du Cocaine”

2025’s “It Band.” Whole album, Getting Killed, is excellent. Throw a dart and you find a good song. Here’s “Au Pays du Cocaine.”

Stay tuned, as I’m sure to share more in 2026.

Dec 08 2025

Top Songs of 2025, Part Two

We’re back! It’s Part Two, so today’s post goes from 13 down to 6. The Top Five will come tomorrow.

Let’s go!

13. Youth Lagoon, “Speed Freak”

If you’re wondering who or what a Youth Lagoon is (or are), here’s a primer from Wikipedia:

So that’s settled.

In any event, Youth Lagoon brings it with this song, which clocks in at 13.

12. Bar Italia, “Fundraiser

This song served as my introduction to the band Bar Italia.

It won’t be the first time you’ll see them in the countdown, as they are one of two acts with multiple appearances; they’re also one of two bands — see Witch Post, on last week’s first installment of Top Songs — that moves back and forth between male and female voices.

The video makes little sense, but the song is a banger.

11. Geese, “Taxes”

One of 2025’s “It Bands” is Geese. Part of the reason: front man Cameron Winter’s voice is unlike anything I’ve heard in quite some time.

And the lyrics? Way-too-Gen-X to be a band of kids in their 20s; angsty enough to get invited to sit in the driveway with me, pop open a lager, and yell at the kids to “get off my lawn.”

Below, the official video, and the band’s performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

10. The Boojums, “Burnin’ Up”

The best band you’ll ever see from Nova Scotia.

9. AFI, “Behind the Clock”

Perfect for a “How It Started…How It’s Going” post, eh?

How It Started: Lead singer Davey Havok at a fashion show in 2011.

How It’s Going: Davey Havok today.

It’s also a heavier sound for the band with their single “Behind the Clock.”

8. Turnstile, “Seein’ Stars”

My notes on this song: “Taco Bell brought me here.”

Yes, you’ve heard this song on Taco Bell ads and it’s okay if you want to go grab a Cheesy Gordita Crunch after listening.

7. Perfume Genius, “It’s A Mirror”

Here’s another from the category of “Guy Who Goes By a Stage Name That Sounds Like a Band.”

Michael Hadreas is the guy, Perfume Genius is the stage name.

6. Lola Young, “Messy”

Lola Young has had A YEAR — so much so, she needed to take a break thanks to the exhaustion.

“Messy” is a great tune; to be honest, the second link below is one of the best live performances I’ve seen this year, from Glastonbury.

See you…TOMORROW…for the Top Five Songs of 2025.

Nov 15 2025

The Saturday List – November 15, 2025

What I’m Watching, Reading, Listening to, and Rediscovering

Watching: Two Shows With Buzz, The Chair Company and Pluribus

In this case, I haven’t started either yet. No spoilers, please. And part of the mystery behind both shows is…the mystery behind both shows. In other words, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT EITHER ONE IS ABOUT.

Here’s the trailer for Pluribus.

Here’s the trailer for The Chair Company.

Both have 100% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. Subscriptions required (AppleTV for Pluribus, HBO for The Chair Company).

Reading: Ten Global Trends, by Ronald Bailey and Marian L. Tupy

Sometimes, it’s just a matter of perspective. Sure, things may appear bad “out there” on a few different levels, but Messrs Bailey and Tupy decided to take a contrarian view of things, and the result doesn’t just look good on your coffee table; this is a really positive book.

The authors scour research reports and study what is really happening with the world, its people, its economy, and its resources.

Take the environment as just one example: between 1982 and 2016, the global tree canopy increased by an amount that’s greater than the land area of Alaska and Montana combined (865,000 square miles). And, interestingly, thanks to higher temperatures in mountainous regions, trees can, in some cases, grow in higher altitudes.

Maybe things aren’t all that bad, eh? Grab the book at this Amazon Link.

Amazon.com: Ten Global Trends Every Smart Person Should Know ...

Thanks for reading Own The Narrative! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Listening To: Geese, The Band That’s Having A Moment

“Geese” is the name of a band from Brooklyn. I’d try to define their sound but would run out of hyphens after the first “Post-Punk-Meets-Indie” suggestion and just send you a couple YouTube links.

Like this one, the song “Taxes” that the band performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live. (Certain to end up on Dave’s Top Songs of 2025 post, coming next month.)

Or this one, “I See Myself,” from a couple years back.

And this one, “Crusades.”

Here’s their Wikipedia entry and the band’s website, if you’re looking for more info.

Rediscovering: An Unconventional Ad From Burger King

One of the most interesting advertising experiments ever was called “Whopper Virgins.” The Burger King chain worked with ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky 16 years ago to find people that were…so “off the grid”…that they had never had a hamburger, let alone a Burger King Whopper.

Seven minutes or so of joy. Worth a watch.

Thanks for reading. Be sure to subscribe if you haven’t yet. Cheers, and see you next week.