Most people get a kiss at midnight on New Years; for 2026, we got a gut punch instead.
Nick Jonas’ “Gut Punch,” the first single off of his upcoming album, “Sunday Best,” may not sound like an ideal way to start the year, but it may actually be just what you need; here, Jonas gets vulnerable, letting listeners in on the difficulties of being your own worst critic in a world that’s already so cruel. “I tend to be hyper critical of myself, not typically about my appearance or getting older, but I was wondering, ‘Am I doing everything to be the best version of myself? Am I a present and thoughtful husband? Am I a good father?’ As time goes by, the stress and complications of life will weigh on you. It’s important to remember there was once a version of you who was carefree and loved the world,” Jonas shares in a recent press release.
Jonas has been known to let vulnerability shine through his lyrics; whether working on his solo ventures or collaborating with family for the Jonas Brothers, Nick has treated his lyrics with love, letting listeners hear his diary entries flow through their speakers. His last album, 2021’s “Spaceman,” was a self-proclaimed “love letter” to his wife, Priyanka Chopra. “I missed my person…Most of the songs are just love letters. When I can’t articulate the way I feel with words, I go to the studio,” said Jonas in a chat with Apple Music.
But now, 5 years later, the love letter is to himself.
“Sunday Best,” while typically used to refer to dressing up, alludes to a version of Jonas that’s stripped down – no frills, no fakeness, just feelings. In his rawest form, and alongside collaborators JP Saxe and Bianca “Blush” Atterbery, Nick does the seemingly impossible for the average human: he gives himself grace. When it comes to love, why is it so easy to show it to others, but so hard to give it to ourselves?
But it’s true – we truly do hurt our own feelings. When did life stop being about living, and started being about impressing? Perfecting? People pleasing? Somewhere along the journey from youth to adulthood, we stop living for ourselves and start trying to live up to the opinions of others. But with “Gut Punch,” Jonas does something magical; he puts into words the way we’re all feeling, leaving us not with a gut punch, but rather a kick in the rear. In this new year, we should start living for ourselves, for the now, and for the joy of it all – and if this single is any indication, Nick Jonas’ “Sunday Best” will make the journey all the more powerful. Be sure to check it out on February 6th.
Featured Photo Credit: Billy Kidd
Nicole Speros holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications & Media Studies and is currently diving deeper into the industry at Berklee College of Music, where she’s studying Music Business. A passionate storyteller with an eye for what’s next, Nicole brings a sharp, curious voice to her work as a music journalist. She covers emerging artists, shifting trends, and the ever-evolving intersection of music and media—with a focus on authenticity, accessibility, and the songs that connect us all.
She’s an active member of GRAMMY U/The Recording Academy and Women in Music, always looking for ways to support and amplify voices in the industry. When she’s not in class or writing, you’ll probably find her stage-side at a local Boston show or hopping on a plane for her next adventure.