(2) Everything Must Go - 02/08/2025 vs. (7) A Western Sun - 06/17/2025

Both of these feel like they have a singular standout section in their jams; Western Sun being the ripping funk and EMG being the dark build. Tough call but going with Western Sun as I have more fun listening to it.

Very surprised lots of folks have this as a better EMG than the 2/13 EMG, but that's why we vote!

Yeah, EMG just doesn't do it for me...it's a nice groove but it doesn't really go anywhere until that last flourish. TWS has some nice twists and turns and is a lot more diverse and engaging, imho.

EMG for sure. I’ve been handing the YouTube link to friends who ask about Goose. The peak at the end is incredible. Might be my JOTY.

EMG obvi. It's, like, one of the best Goose jams ever. It's like their Kid A. But hats off to the best AWS in years. It's a freaking awesome, freight train of a jam.

I mentioned this elsewhere, but I'm bummed that this EMG, which is the highest-ranked 2-seed, somehow ended up in the same region as the GR Madhuvan, the highest-ranked 1-seed. While I love Bend Thatch and Westville All I Need, I think this EMG is better than both, and I wish it would've had the chance to beat one of those 1-seeds to get to the final four. Oh well.

MKE EMG is the JOTY, be warned GR Madhuvan it’s coming for you.

One of these is the JOTY

Pour one out for the best AWS since maybe as far back as Dillon in '22?

Pretty good EMG. I'm voting for it. I don't think the Western Sun is anything that I will relisten to, ever again.

Gotta go with the hometown Myst!
Yo!

This AWS is criminally underrated and under-seeded

I don't deny how wonderful this EMG is, I just didn't have it as high in my rankings (I actually had both Torero and Myst ranked higher). Not disappointed that it's getting some love.

Ah man. The poor Wilmington WS. I absolutely love this WS. Too bad it will fall to the beast EMG. It had a good run.

not hard. EMG has no chance of winning JOTY tho so enjoy while it's alive.

I generally enjoy darker jams, but this EMG is way too piano forward in it's darkness. I understand why people like it so much, but it's just not for me. It doesn't feel sinister, and what's the point of a dark jam if it doesn't actually embody some evilness. This western sun is very.... very.... Phish derivative (aside from the last 5min). Although thats kind of all I can think about, I still love the way it sounds. It rips for sure and gets my vote over this tepid EMG.

Emg joty

I think this should be the first big upset so far. AWS brings the heat. Every band member is playing at a higher level than in this EMG.

Jammed out AWS are sick and 2/13 EMG is far superior. AWS easy

ILM AWS is the jam of the year. Trevor 4ever

These jams are great examples of what goose can do to push limits. Great explosion of energy never seen before in an AWS. It’s a fun and energetic jam, but can’t compete with this dynamic and powerful improv executed in EMG.

this EMG is the joty of the year don't blow it voters!

Sorry this AWS was in my top 10 and I’m not afraid to say it. This EMG isn’t even the best one!! Thought 2/13 was better. AWS for me

This AWS is real nice it just keeps me dancing, what i love about the goose.

EMG had me crossing my arms waiting for it to end.

Easy choice for me.

Don’t buy into the narrative

I do enjoy going everywhere and feeling everything (and this version is fantastic), but this EMG is a perfect encapsulation of what this band can do when they push themselves into new spaces.

My #2 overall and easy vote!

EMG all day - this one or the 2/13 one hopefully will be JOTY when it's all said and done!

Everything Bmodest said.. This AWS is so damn fun and I want them to jam out AWS as often as possible, but I'm not overthinking this. EMG is a behemoth

Brutal match up, both in my top ten, I think Emg is more cohesive but aws goes more places, ugh, aws by a nose…I guess

Grady Maybe and OleBub said it best. What a god damn shame that this AWS is already getting the shit beaten out of it. RIP to the best jam of 2025.

Seems a lot of people in here don't enjoy going everywhere and feeling everything... Sad!

AWS is my pick because I like it and it’s better and if it loses I will take it personally.

Tremendous AWS and a sign of the positive trend we saw for the song in '25, but this EMG is a beast and moves on without a 2nd thought from me.

This EMG is my #2 jam of the year so it gets my vote. AWS is very good and it’s nice to see them jamming it again but it has no chance against this monster.

A firefly AWS indeed but I’ve got l EMG going thru