Arriving in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, I couldn’t have anticipated just how luminous, emotionally charged, and genuinely unpredictable the 2026 Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena would be. This was not simply an awards ceremony. It was a cultural moment unfolding live, where music, fashion, personal narratives, and political undertones collided in a way that felt raw, unfiltered, and deeply human.
Hosted once again by Trevor Noah, the ceremony opened with a relaxed confidence and a sense of self-awareness that proved essential as the night progressed. From the outset, it was clear this would not be a perfectly choreographed evening. Instead, it would be shaped by spontaneous moments, emotional reactions, and a few unforgettable missteps that ultimately made it more compelling.
Cher presents the award for Record of the Year at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.Credit: Stewart Cook/CBS
One of the most powerful segments of the night was the tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. The atmosphere inside the arena shifted as Post Malone took the stage to perform “One of Those Nights,” honoring Ozzy in a moment that felt both contemporary and reverential. Backed by Slash on guitar, the performance carried weight and history. Slash’s unmistakable sound cut through the arena, creating a bridge between generations that felt organic and earned.
What elevated the tribute even further was the reaction of the Osbourne family. Sharon Osbourne was visibly moved, her emotion unmistakable. Beside her sat Kelly Osbourne and Jack Osbourne, equally overwhelmed. The cameras returned to them several times throughout the performance, capturing genuine moments of pride, love, and deep emotion. There was nothing performative about it. The reactions were unguarded and profoundly touching, grounding the spectacle in something real.
Trevor Noah with Cher, presenting the award for Record of the Year at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.Credit: Stewart Cook/ CBS
Kendrick Lamar emerged as one of the undeniable forces of the night, taking home five Grammy Awards and asserting once again why he stands at the forefront of his generation. His song “Luther” became a recurring reference point throughout the evening, not just musically but symbolically.
Then came one of the most talked-about moments of the ceremony.
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Cher, at 79 years old, took the stage to announce Record of the Year. What followed was pure live television magic. As she began to walk off the stage with a confidence and vitality that felt almost surreal, she moved with the ease and presence of someone decades younger. There was something incomparable about the way she walked, poised and effortless, radiating that ageless charisma only Cher possesses. Trevor Noah quickly called her back, reminding her she still needed to announce the nominees and the winner. It was in that moment, as she returned to the microphone, that she briefly mixed up “Luther” by Kendrick Lamar with Luther Vandross, the legendary soul singer who passed away in 2005.
The room froze for a beat, then exhaled. Trevor Noah handled the moment with humor, the audience laughed and applauded, and what could have been awkward transformed into something iconic. It was imperfect, human, and unforgettable. A reminder that live shows, at their best, embrace the unexpected.
Bad Bunny receives the award for Album of the Year at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.Credit: Stewart Cook/CBS
Justin Bieber delivered one of the most quietly unsettling performances of the night. Dressed simply in boxer shorts, he performed “Yukon” in a stripped-down, emotionally restrained set that felt almost confrontational in its vulnerability. There were no forced smiles, no attempts to play to the crowd. Even during Trevor Noah’s lighthearted remarks, Bieber remained inward, distant, almost sealed within himself.
Justin Bieber at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcasting live Sunday, February 1, 2026.Credit: Francis Specker/CBS
What made the moment even more striking was the contrast offstage. Seeing such a young artist sitting next to his wife, Hailey Bieber, yet never once breaking into a smile, created an oddly compelling tension. It was strange, honest, and deeply personal. The performance divided opinion, but its authenticity was undeniable.
Bad Bunny delivered one of the most defining nights of the ceremony, securing three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Best Música Urbana Album, and Best Global Music Performance. His victories marked historic wins, solidifying him as the first Latin American artist to triumph at this level in major Grammy categories.
Equally striking was his presence on stage. Bad Bunny wore a custom-made Schiaparelli suit designed specifically for his body, sculpted in a way that gave him an almost architectural silhouette. The structured tailoring broadened his frame, giving him a powerful stance that, at moments, evoked the build of a rugby player rather than a recording artist. It was intentional, commanding, and sharply elegant, reinforcing the authority of his moment.
Sabrina Carpenter at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcasting live Sunday, February 1, 2026.Credit: Francis Specker/CBS
Outside the arena, the red carpet unfolded as its own parallel spectacle.
Chappell Roan became one of the most discussed figures of the night in a sheer burgundy Mugler gown inspired by archival couture. The look featured intricate faux body art and bold transparency that sparked conversation instantly. Rather than shy away from the reaction, Roan later defended the look with confidence, framing it as self-expression rather than provocation. It was theatrical, fearless, and undeniably effective.
Heidi Klum delivered one of the most technically impressive fashion moments of the evening. Her sculptural second-skin dress was meticulously customized to match her exact curves and skin tone. The construction process was painstaking, resulting in a molded silhouette that blurred the line between garment and body. The glossy finish created a latex-like effect, transforming the dress into a wearable sculpture. Klum herself joked that sitting was nearly impossible, but the impact was undeniable. It was fashion as form, precision, and statement.
Lady Gaga at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcasting live Sunday, February 1, 2026.Credit: Francis Specker/CBS
Lady Gaga remained true to her theatrical instincts, appearing in a dramatic black feathered gown by Matières Fécales. The look, with its high neckline and flowing train, felt operatic and darkly romantic. Yet what stood out most was her demeanor. Throughout the night, she remained closely wrapped around her fiancé, Michael Polansky. They were constantly embracing, exchanging quiet gestures of affection that radiated warmth and tenderness. Despite her status as a global icon, Gaga exuded a rare softness, balancing grandeur with intimacy in a way that felt deeply sincere.
Backstage and in the media room, conversations reflected the complexity of the night. There were clear triumphs and equally clear omissions. Some expected wins never materialized, and reactions ranged from restrained disappointment to visible tension. Cameras captured fleeting moments, including artists choosing not to applaud, that quickly became part of the wider narrative.
Tate McRae and Lady Gaga at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.Credit: Francis Specker/CBS
As the final awards were handed out and the lights dimmed, it was evident that the 2026 Grammy Awards were not defined by perfection, but by presence. This was a night shaped by real emotion, cultural relevance, and moments that could never be replicated.
From Kendrick Lamar’s dominance and Bad Bunny’s historic triumphs, to the emotional Ozzy Osbourne tribute, Cher’s unforgettable stage moment, Justin Bieber’s inward performance, and fashion statements that pushed boundaries, the 68th Grammy Awards captured the cultural moment in full.
Not polished. Not predictable. And precisely for that reason, unforgettable.
Chappell Roan presents the award for Best New Artist at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.Credit: Stewart Cook/CBS
Bad Bunny won album of the year at the 2026 Grammy Awards for his critically-acclaimed “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” closing out a surprising and history-making night. It is the first time a Spanish-language album has taken home the top prize.“Puerto Rico, believe me when I tell you that we are much bigger than 100 by 35,” he said in his acceptance speech in Spanish, referring to a Puerto Rican colloquialism about the island’s small size. “And there is nothing we can’t achieve. Thank God, thank you to the Academy, thank you to all the people who have believed in me throughout my career.“To all the people who worked on this album, thank you mami for giving birth to me in Puerto Rico, I love you,” he continued.Then he switched to English: “I want to dedicate this award to all the people who had to leave their homeland to follow their dreams.”Harry Styles presented the award — the English singer previously took home the top prize in 2023 for “Harry’s House.” He beat Bad Bunny that year, who was nominated for “Un Verano Sin Ti” — the first Spanish-language album to be up in the category.Anti-ICE messages from the stageBillie Eilish won song of the year for “Wildflower” and used the moment to add her voice to the chorus of musicians criticizing immigration authorities Sunday.“No one is illegal on stolen land,” she said while accepting the award for the song from her 2024 album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” “(Expletive) ICE is all I want to say.”Immigration was a pointed theme of the night. Bad Bunny, after winning an award for his zeitgeist-shaping album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” used his speech to share an anti-ICE message, highlighting the humanity of all people.“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he said, starting out his speech in English to huge applause. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”Before Bad Bunny took home the best música urbana album trophy, Olivia Dean was named best new artist.”I never really imagined that I would be up here,” she said, receiving her first Grammy while wiping away tears. “I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn’t be here … I am a product of bravery, and I think that those people deserve to be celebrated.”Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Jelly Roll and more win bigKendrick Lamar and SZA won record of the year at an electric 2026 Grammy Awards Sunday night for “Luther.”Cher presented the award and mistakenly said it goes to “Luther Vandross” instead of Kendrick Lamar and SZA for their single “Luther.”One of the song’s producers, Sounwave, began the acceptance speech by saying, “Let’s give a shoutout to the late and great Luther Vandross.”Lamar also won the first televised award of the night, rap album for “GNX,” accepting the trophy from Queen Latifah and Doechii.“It’s an honor to be here,” he said in his acceptance speech. “Hip-hop is always going to be right here … We’re gonna be having the culture with us.”The victory means Lamar broke Jay-Z’s record to become the rapper with the most career Grammys. Jay-Z has 25; after he took home rap album and record of the year, Lamar’s total is 27.Pop vocal album went to Lady Gaga for “Mayhem.”“Every time I’m here, I still feel like I need to pinch myself,” Gaga said in her speech.Pop solo performance went to Lola Young for “Messy,” whose speech playfully lived up to the song’s spirit.“I don’t know what to say,” she joked about “obviously” not having a speech prepared. “I’m very, very grateful for this.”The inaugural contemporary country album category went to Jelly Roll for “Beautifully Broken.”This year, the Grammys renamed country album to contemporary country album and added a traditional country album category, a distinction that exists in other genres. But the news arrived right after Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” won best country album, inspiring backlash online.“I believe music had the power to change my life,” Jelly Roll said in his acceptance speech, which he spent the majority of thanking God.Pharrell Williams received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.“To everyone in this room who believes in the power of Black music,” he said, “thank you so much.”And Cher was presented the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. “The only thing I want you to take away,” she said, “I’ve been in this business for 60 (expletive) years. I just want to tell you, never give up on your dreams.”A live concert experienceA powerful Grammy Awards in memoriam segment celebrated the legacies of the late D’Angelo and Roberta Flack at the 68th annual ceremony Sunday night.Ms. Lauryn Hill appeared on the Grammy stage for the first time since 1999, when she became the first hip-hop artist to win album of the year for her “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”The D’Angelo tribute was first: A medley of several songs, among them “Brown Sugar” with Lucky Daye, “Lady” with Raphael Saadiq and Anthony Hamilton and “Devil’s Pie” with Leon Thomas.Then, Hill focused her attention on Roberta Flack: “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” with Jon Batiste, “Where Is The Love” with John Legend and Chaka Khan, and a mesh of “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and “Killing Me Softly with His Song” with her Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean.If there was one set that felt like avant-garde artistic performance piece on Sunday night, it was Tyler, the Creator’s medley of “Thought I Was Dead,” “Like Him,” (in which he was joined by Regina King) and “Sugar On My Tongue.” It played out like theater: others would be wise to take note.All eight nominees in the best new artist category participated in a medley at the award show across multiple stages, the back halls of the arena and even the venue’s loading dock. It was an interesting and impressive mod-podge of different styles, from the British soul of Lola Young and Olivia Dean to Addison Rae and Katseye’s hypnotic pop. The Marías kicked things off with their dreamy indie rock; sombr and Alex Warren offered their radio hits — “12 to 12” and “Ordinary” respectively. Leon Thomas reminded the audience why he’s the only nominee also up for album of the year with his fully formed R&B.The hits arrived fast and furious in the show’s first hour. Rosé and Bruno Mars’ opened Grammys with an electric rendition of their multicultural pop smash, “APT.”; the Blackpink singer channeled a pop-punk Gwen Stefani in her tie and platinum blond hair. Sabrina Carpenter with her “Manchild” kiss-off. Justin Bieber slowed things down with “Yukon” from his comeback record “Swag.” Lady Gaga reimagined her hit “Abracadabra” as an electro-rock song.Surprises were abundant — even before the show startedAn exciting, early theme of the 68th Grammy Awards? First time winners.During the Premiere Ceremony held at the adjacent Peacock Theater in Los Angeles ahead of the main show, the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy for audio book, narration and storytelling recording, beating out Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. You read that correctly.“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” won song written for visual media at the Premiere Ceremony, marking the first time a K-pop act has won a Grammy. Songwriters delivered their acceptance speech in both English and Korean, highlighting the song’s bilingual appeal.Music film went to “Music for John Williams,” which means director Steven Spielberg has officially won his first Grammy. That makes him an EGOT winner — an artist with an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar.Artists speak out Trump administration’s immigration crackdownsThroughout Sunday’s Grammys, artists offered pro-immigration and anti-ICE messaging.During the Premiere Ceremony, country duo/group performance went to first-time winners Shaboozey and Jelly Roll. Shaboozey accepted the award with tears in his eyes. “I want to thank my mother, who as of today, has retired from her job of 30 years … working as a registered nurse in a psych ward … as an immigrant in this country. Thank you, mom.“Immigrants built this country, literally, actually. So, this for them,” he concluded. “Thank you for bring your culture, your music and your stories.”Amy Allen won songwriter of the year, nonclassical for a second year in a row and wore an “ICE Out” pin, an anti-immigration enforcement message. So did Kehlani – who won her first Grammy for R&B performance and later, her second, for R&B song.“I’ve never won anything before, this is a really crazy feeling,” she said as she fought back tears, reflecting on her first nomination 10 years ago. Then she shifted gears to focus on the current political moment: “Imma leave this and say, (expletive) ICE.”“I’m scared,” Gloria Estefan said of the current political moment backstage at the Grammys. “There are hundreds of children in detention centers. … I don’t recognize my country in this moment right now.”
“Puerto Rico, believe me when I tell you that we are much bigger than 100 by 35,” he said in his acceptance speech in Spanish, referring to a Puerto Rican colloquialism about the island’s small size. “And there is nothing we can’t achieve. Thank God, thank you to the Academy, thank you to all the people who have believed in me throughout my career.
“To all the people who worked on this album, thank you mami for giving birth to me in Puerto Rico, I love you,” he continued.
Then he switched to English: “I want to dedicate this award to all the people who had to leave their homeland to follow their dreams.”
Harry Styles presented the award — the English singer previously took home the top prize in 2023 for “Harry’s House.” He beat Bad Bunny that year, who was nominated for “Un Verano Sin Ti” — the first Spanish-language album to be up in the category.
Anti-ICE messages from the stage
Billie Eilish won song of the year for “Wildflower” and used the moment to add her voice to the chorus of musicians criticizing immigration authorities Sunday.
“No one is illegal on stolen land,” she said while accepting the award for the song from her 2024 album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” “(Expletive) ICE is all I want to say.”
Immigration was a pointed theme of the night. Bad Bunny, after winning an award for his zeitgeist-shaping album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” used his speech to share an anti-ICE message, highlighting the humanity of all people.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he said, starting out his speech in English to huge applause. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”
Before Bad Bunny took home the best música urbana album trophy, Olivia Dean was named best new artist.
“I never really imagined that I would be up here,” she said, receiving her first Grammy while wiping away tears. “I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn’t be here … I am a product of bravery, and I think that those people deserve to be celebrated.”
Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Jelly Roll and more win big
Cher presented the award and mistakenly said it goes to “Luther Vandross” instead of Kendrick Lamar and SZA for their single “Luther.”
One of the song’s producers, Sounwave, began the acceptance speech by saying, “Let’s give a shoutout to the late and great Luther Vandross.”
Lamar also won the first televised award of the night, rap album for “GNX,” accepting the trophy from Queen Latifah and Doechii.
“It’s an honor to be here,” he said in his acceptance speech. “Hip-hop is always going to be right here … We’re gonna be having the culture with us.”
The victory means Lamar broke Jay-Z’s record to become the rapper with the most career Grammys. Jay-Z has 25; after he took home rap album and record of the year, Lamar’s total is 27.
Pop vocal album went to Lady Gaga for “Mayhem.”
“Every time I’m here, I still feel like I need to pinch myself,” Gaga said in her speech.
Pop solo performance went to Lola Young for “Messy,” whose speech playfully lived up to the song’s spirit.
“I don’t know what to say,” she joked about “obviously” not having a speech prepared. “I’m very, very grateful for this.”
The inaugural contemporary country album category went to Jelly Roll for “Beautifully Broken.”
This year, the Grammys renamed country album to contemporary country album and added a traditional country album category, a distinction that exists in other genres. But the news arrived right after Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” won best country album, inspiring backlash online.
“I believe music had the power to change my life,” Jelly Roll said in his acceptance speech, which he spent the majority of thanking God.
Pharrell Williams received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.
“To everyone in this room who believes in the power of Black music,” he said, “thank you so much.”
And Cher was presented the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. “The only thing I want you to take away,” she said, “I’ve been in this business for 60 (expletive) years. I just want to tell you, never give up on your dreams.”
Ms. Lauryn Hill appeared on the Grammy stage for the first time since 1999, when she became the first hip-hop artist to win album of the year for her “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”
The D’Angelo tribute was first: A medley of several songs, among them “Brown Sugar” with Lucky Daye, “Lady” with Raphael Saadiq and Anthony Hamilton and “Devil’s Pie” with Leon Thomas.
Then, Hill focused her attention on Roberta Flack: “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” with Jon Batiste, “Where Is The Love” with John Legend and Chaka Khan, and a mesh of “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and “Killing Me Softly with His Song” with her Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean.
If there was one set that felt like avant-garde artistic performance piece on Sunday night, it was Tyler, the Creator’s medley of “Thought I Was Dead,” “Like Him,” (in which he was joined by Regina King) and “Sugar On My Tongue.” It played out like theater: others would be wise to take note.
All eight nominees in the best new artist category participated in a medley at the award show across multiple stages, the back halls of the arena and even the venue’s loading dock. It was an interesting and impressive mod-podge of different styles, from the British soul of Lola Young and Olivia Dean to Addison Rae and Katseye’s hypnotic pop. The Marías kicked things off with their dreamy indie rock; sombr and Alex Warren offered their radio hits — “12 to 12” and “Ordinary” respectively. Leon Thomas reminded the audience why he’s the only nominee also up for album of the year with his fully formed R&B.
The hits arrived fast and furious in the show’s first hour. Rosé and Bruno Mars’ opened Grammys with an electric rendition of their multicultural pop smash, “APT.”; the Blackpink singer channeled a pop-punk Gwen Stefani in her tie and platinum blond hair. Sabrina Carpenter with her “Manchild” kiss-off. Justin Bieber slowed things down with “Yukon” from his comeback record “Swag.” Lady Gaga reimagined her hit “Abracadabra” as an electro-rock song.
Surprises were abundant — even before the show started
During the Premiere Ceremony held at the adjacent Peacock Theater in Los Angeles ahead of the main show, the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy for audio book, narration and storytelling recording, beating out Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. You read that correctly.
“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” won song written for visual media at the Premiere Ceremony, marking the first time a K-pop act has won a Grammy. Songwriters delivered their acceptance speech in both English and Korean, highlighting the song’s bilingual appeal.
Music film went to “Music for John Williams,” which means director Steven Spielberg has officially won his first Grammy. That makes him an EGOT winner — an artist with an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar.
Artists speak out Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns
Throughout Sunday’s Grammys, artists offered pro-immigration and anti-ICE messaging.
During the Premiere Ceremony, country duo/group performance went to first-time winners Shaboozey and Jelly Roll. Shaboozey accepted the award with tears in his eyes. “I want to thank my mother, who as of today, has retired from her job of 30 years … working as a registered nurse in a psych ward … as an immigrant in this country. Thank you, mom.
“Immigrants built this country, literally, actually. So, this for them,” he concluded. “Thank you for bring your culture, your music and your stories.”
Amy Allen won songwriter of the year, nonclassical for a second year in a row and wore an “ICE Out” pin, an anti-immigration enforcement message. So did Kehlani – who won her first Grammy for R&B performance and later, her second, for R&B song.
“I’ve never won anything before, this is a really crazy feeling,” she said as she fought back tears, reflecting on her first nomination 10 years ago. Then she shifted gears to focus on the current political moment: “Imma leave this and say, (expletive) ICE.”
“I’m scared,” Gloria Estefan said of the current political moment backstage at the Grammys. “There are hundreds of children in detention centers. … I don’t recognize my country in this moment right now.”
The Grammys, also known as music’s biggest night. How did this appreciation of music come to be? I’m Megan Campanova, the entertainment reporter for Hearst National Desk. Here’s what you need to know about the Grammys. The Grammys started in 1959, and at the time there were only 28 categories. Now, today, there are 95 different categories, but only about 5 to 7 are usually televised. The ones that are televised are obviously the big four, so the big four are Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best New Artist, and Album of the Year, and then. Producers can kind of decide the other ones that they want to add in that best fit the broadcast of that year. Uh, members who vote on these Grammys and who get the award are members of the Recording Academy. So members of the Recording Academy are producers, engineers, artists, anyone who kind of has any influence in making *** song, they get to vote on who gets *** Grammy. The nomination process begins in August of the previous year to August of last year. So, for example, in 2026, the nominations will be from August 2024 to August 2025. Any song released in that time frame is eligible for *** Grammy.
Discover the full list of the 68th Grammy Award winners, highlighting outstanding achievements for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist and more.See below for a full list of nominees, with the winners in bold. Best rap album”Let God Sort Em Out,” Clipse, Pusha T and Malice”Glorious,” GloRilla”God Does Like Ugly,” JID”GNX,” Kendrick Lamar”Chromakopia,” Tyler, the CreatorAlbum of the year”Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Bad Bunny”Swag,” Justin Bieber”Man’s Best Friend,” Sabrina Carpenter”Let God Sort Em Out,” Clipse, Pusha T and Malice”MAYHEM,” Lady Gaga”GNX,” Kendrick Lamar”Mutt,” Leon Thomas”Chromakopia,” Tyler, the CreatorRecord of the year”DtMF,” Bad Bunny”Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter”Anxiety,” Doechii”Wildflower,” Billie Eilish”Abracadabra,” Lady Gaga”luther,” Kendrick Lamar with SZA”The Subway,” Chappell Roan”APT.,” Rosé and Bruno MarsSong of the year”Abracadabra,” Henry Walter, Lady Gaga and Andrew Watt”Anxiety,” Jaylah Hickmon”APT.,” Amy Allen, Christopher Brody Brown, Rogét Chahayed, Henry Walter, Omer Fedi, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Chae Young Park and Theron Thomas”DtMF,” Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, Hugo René Sención and Tyler Thomas Spry”Golden,” EJAI and Mark Sonnenblick”luther,” Jack Antonoff, Roshwita Larisha Bacha, Matthew Bernard, Ink, Scott Bridgeway, Sam Dew, Kendrick Lamar, Mark Anthony Spears, Solána Rowe and Kamasi Washington”Manchild,” Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff and Sabrina Carpenter”Wildflower,” Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell.Best new artistOlivia DeanKatseyeThe MariasAddison RaeSombrLeon ThomasAlex WarrenLola Young Best Pop Solo Performance“DAISIES,” Justin Bieber“Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter“Disease,” Lady Gaga“The Subway,” Chappell Roan“Messy,” Lola Young Best Pop Vocal Album “SWAG,” Justin Bieber”Man’s Best Friend,” Sabrina Carpenter”Something Beautiful,” Miley Cyrus”MAYHEM,” Lady Gaga”I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy — Part 2,” Teddy SwimsBest Contemporary Country Album “Patterns,” Kelsea Ballerini”Snipe Hunter,” Tyler Childers”Evangeline Vs. The Machine,” Eric Church”Beautifully Broken,” Jelly Roll”Postcards From Texas,” Miranda LambertBest Música Urbana Album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” Bad Bunny”Mixteip,” J Balvin”FERXXO VOL X: Sagrado,” Feid”NAIKI,” Nicki Nicole”EUB DELUXE,” Trueno”SINFÓNICO — En Vivo,” Yandel
Discover the full list of the 68th Grammy Award winners, highlighting outstanding achievements for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist and more.
See below for a full list of nominees, with the winners in bold.
Best rap album
“Let God Sort Em Out,” Clipse, Pusha T and Malice
“Glorious,” GloRilla
“God Does Like Ugly,” JID
“GNX,” Kendrick Lamar
“Chromakopia,” Tyler, the Creator
Album of the year
“Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Bad Bunny
“Swag,” Justin Bieber
“Man’s Best Friend,” Sabrina Carpenter
“Let God Sort Em Out,” Clipse, Pusha T and Malice
“MAYHEM,” Lady Gaga
“GNX,” Kendrick Lamar
“Mutt,” Leon Thomas
“Chromakopia,” Tyler, the Creator
Record of the year
“DtMF,” Bad Bunny
“Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter
“Anxiety,” Doechii
“Wildflower,” Billie Eilish
“Abracadabra,” Lady Gaga
“luther,” Kendrick Lamar with SZA
“The Subway,” Chappell Roan
“APT.,” Rosé and Bruno Mars
Song of the year
“Abracadabra,” Henry Walter, Lady Gaga and Andrew Watt
“Anxiety,” Jaylah Hickmon
“APT.,” Amy Allen, Christopher Brody Brown, Rogét Chahayed, Henry Walter, Omer Fedi, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Chae Young Park and Theron Thomas
“DtMF,” Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, Hugo René Sención and Tyler Thomas Spry
“Golden,” EJAI and Mark Sonnenblick
“luther,” Jack Antonoff, Roshwita Larisha Bacha, Matthew Bernard, Ink, Scott Bridgeway, Sam Dew, Kendrick Lamar, Mark Anthony Spears, Solána Rowe and Kamasi Washington
“Manchild,” Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff and Sabrina Carpenter
“Wildflower,” Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell.
Best new artist
Olivia Dean
Katseye
The Marias
Addison Rae
Sombr
Leon Thomas
Alex Warren
Lola Young
Best Pop Solo Performance
“DAISIES,” Justin Bieber
“Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter
“Disease,” Lady Gaga
“The Subway,” Chappell Roan
“Messy,” Lola Young
Best Pop Vocal Album
“SWAG,” Justin Bieber
“Man’s Best Friend,” Sabrina Carpenter
“Something Beautiful,” Miley Cyrus
“MAYHEM,” Lady Gaga
“I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy — Part 2,” Teddy Swims
The stars are out for this year’s Grammy Awards, and it looks like everything is blinging! On February 1, 2026, local time, the biggest night in music unfolded at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, USA. Some of the most famed and highest nominated acts of the night were seen arriving at the Recording Academy’s awards night, and here’s our rundown with them.
With a night full of big performances and major wins awaiting the fans of music around the world, we bring you some of the best looks seen at the prestigious red carpet of the event. Check out some of our favorites below.
Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber
The power couple made their way onto the red carpet in sleek style with no room for error! Going the matching route in all-black looks, Justin Bieber and wife Hailey Bieber opted for simple silver neck pieces with diamond embellishments.
Sabrina Carpenter
The Espresso hitmaker once again made a strong mark with her entrance at the red carpet, shining through in a beautiful cream sheer look.
Miley, Maxx and Tish
Miley Cyrus made a family night out of the Grammys evening, arriving with her husband-to-be Maxx Morando in one arm and soon joining her mum, Tish Cyrus, for a quick photo
Rosé
The BLACKPINK member seems to be going back to Rosie days with a similar hair look for her debut nomination at the Grammy Awards.
Tyla
The feathers were doing the talking for Tyla, who made a powerful entrance at music’s biggest night of the year.
Lady Gaga
You can rest assured that Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta would make a memorable appearance any time she enters a room. Feathers were once again the top choice for the Grammys evening for Lady Gaga, who stunned with her all-black look.
Billie Eilish
This singer knows how to keep the chatter mills running, opting to go for another dashing look at the red carpet.
Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan’s outing was rather risque and out there, going from a veiled deep burgundy to one hanging on by bare piercings in one of the most bold looks of the night.
Bad Bunny
The Puerto Rican rapper showed off a rather classic look at the front, going for a laced back on his tuxedo behind.
Tonight, the Grammy Awards return to the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, as the music industry’s biggest stars gather to celebrate the best records and performances of the year. Comedian Trevor Noah is taking on hosting duties for the sixth year in a row.
Aside from a bevy of musical talent, the night also always includes a very exciting red carpet. At the Grammys, attendees aren’t scared to try something new when it comes to fashion—or something so fantastically outrageous that style commentators are sure to discuss for years to come. Below, see all the best and most thrilling fashion moments from the 2026 Grammy Awards show in Los Angeles.
Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber. Getty Images
Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber
Justin Bieber in Balenciaga, Hailey Bieber in Alaïa
Tate McRae. Getty Images for The Recording A
Tate McRae
in Balenciaga
Jon Batiste. Getty Images
Jon Batiste
Kesha. Getty Images for The Recording A
Kesha
Don Lemon. Getty Images
Don Lemon
Paris Hilton. WireImage
Paris Hilton
Halle Bailey. Getty Images
Halle Bailey
Pharrell Williams and Angélique Kidjo. Getty Images for The Recording A
Pharrell Williams and Angélique Kidjo
in Louis Vuitton
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend. Getty Images
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
Lady Gaga. Getty Images
Lady Gaga
in Matières Fécales
Grace Potter. Getty Images for The Recording A
Grace Potter
Carole King. Getty Images for The Recording A
Carole King
Noah Kahan. Getty Images for The Recording A
Noah Kahan
in Armani
Bad Bunny. Billboard via Getty Images
Bad Bunny
in Schiaparelli
Karol G. Getty Images
Karol G
in Paolo Sebastian
Miley Cyrus. Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
in Celine
Billie Eilish. Getty Images
Billie Eilish
in Hodakova
Claudia Sulewski and Finneas O’Connell. Getty Images
Claudia Sulewski and Finneas O’Connell
Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo. WireImage
Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo
Laufey. Getty Images
Laufey
in Miu Miu
Doechii. WireImage
Doechii
in Robert Cavalli
Madison Beer. WireImage
Madison Beer
Lainey Wilson. Getty Images
Lainey Wilson
in Gaurav Gupta
Addison Rae. Getty Images
Addison Rae
in Alaïa
Este Haim, Danielle Haim and Alana Haim. WireImage
Este Haim, Danielle Haim and Alana Haim
in Louis Vuitton
Nikki Glaser. Getty Images
Nikki Glaser
Trevor Noah. WireImage
Trevor Noah
in Ralph Lauren
Kelsea Ballerini. Getty Images
Kelsea Ballerini
in Etro
Chappell Roan. Getty Images
Chappell Roan
in Mugler
Sombr. Getty Images
Sombr
in Valentino
Olivia Dean. Getty Images
Olivia Dean
in Chanel
Heidi Klum. Getty Images for The Recording A
Heidi Klum
Ejae. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The
Ejae
in Dior
Queen Latifah. Getty Images
Queen Latifah
in Stéphane Rolland
Coco Jones. Getty Images for The Recording A
Coco Jones
in Kristina K
Madeleine White. AFP via Getty Images
Madeleine White
Rosé. Getty Images
Rosé
in Giambattista Valli
Sabrina Carpenter. Getty Images
Sabrina Carpenter
in Valentino
Kelsey Merritt. Getty Images
Kelsey Merritt
Tyla. Getty Images
Tyla
in Dsquared2
Michelle Williams. Getty Images
Michelle Williams
in Jean-Louis Sabaji Couture
Reba McEntire. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The
Reba McEntire
Samara Joy. Billboard via Getty Images
Samara Joy
Zara Larsson. Getty Images for The Recording A
Zara Larsson
in Germanier
Rita Wilson. Getty Images
Rita Wilson
in Jenny Packham
Leah Kateb. Getty Images for The Recording A
Leah Kateb
Ali Wong Getty Images for The Recording A
Ali Wong
in Vivienne Westwood
Anna Shumate. Getty Images for The Recording A
Anna Shumate
Shaboozey. Getty Images for The Recording A
Shaboozey
in Bode
Margo Price. WireImage
Margo Price
Lola Clark. WireImage
Lola Clark
Ciara Miller. Getty Images for The Recording A
Ciara Miller
PinkPantheress. Billboard via Getty Images
PinkPantheress
in Vivienne Westwood
Kehlani. Getty Images for The Recording A
Kehlani
in Valdrin Sahiti
FKA Twigs. Getty Images
FKA Twigs
in Paolo Carzana
Lola Young. FilmMagic
Lola Young
in Vivienne Westwood
Jesse Jo Stark and Yungblud. Getty Images for The Recording A
Jesse Jo Stark and Yungblud
in Chrome Hearts
Chris Redding and Serena Redding. AFP via Getty Images
Newcomer Cameron Whitcomb is also in the running for five, including breakthrough artist of the year, single of the year for Options, album of the year and country album of the year for his debut The Hard Way.
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In the new category Latin music recording of the year, the inaugural nominees are Alex Cuba, Lido Pimienta, Andy Rubal, Isabella Lovestory and Mario Puglia.
The Junos will be handed out at a gala on Saturday, March 28 and during a live broadcast hosted by comedian Mae Martin on Sunday, March 29.
Roomies, things are heating up in the world of Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez—even years after their on-again, off-again romance. The Biebs just reignited online chatter after interacting with a comment on a throwback Instagram post featuring his ex, Selena. Now, fans are dissecting every detail, wondering if this was just a harmless scroll down memory lane or something more.
Justin Bieber Sparks After Double Tapping Comment Under Old Selena Gomez Photo
The original post, shared back on March 20, 2016, shows Justin Bieber kissing Selena Gomez during the peak of their highly publicized relationship. Recently, Bieber’s account allegedly liked a comment under the photo was written in Spanish, which translates to, “Long live the newlyweds!” Screenshots quickly circulated online, confirming the interaction came directly from Bieber’s verified account. While he didn’t add a caption or make a statement, fans went wild, debating whether this was a subtle nod to his past or just random social media activity.
Adding fuel to the fire, Hailey Bieber had just shared a carousel of nostalgic 2016 photos days before, including one of her kissing Justin at sunset, captioned “You just had to be there.” Neither Justin, Hailey, nor Selena have commented on the interaction, but that hasn’t stopped online communities from breaking down every move and predicting what it could mean for the Biebs’ love life.
Fans Are Split Over The Accident Or Subtle Backtrack
Fans didn’t waste a second before flooding The Shade Room’s Instagram comments with their takes on Justin’s interaction. Many pointed out that it could honestly have been an accident, since comments often show up in notifications, while others wondered why the 2016 post was still up in the first place.
One Instagram user @christine.elizabeth said, “Uh oh that 2016 nostalgia kicking in 😂”
This Instagram user @pooraudixoxo commented, “The fact that he even still has these pictures up 😭”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @excel_osato added, “Or he probably liked by mistake omg yall are insufferable 😭”
While Instagram user @melitosmami shared, “I LOVE 2026 ALREADY 🤣😭”
Then Instagram user @kylaaleshaeee wrote, “Y’all know new comments shows in y’all notifications, rt???? Or this an old comment n he liked it?“
Finally, Instagram user @oneamazingirl joked, “Coming soon to a blog near you… ‘my account was hacked’😂“
Fans Speculate About Bieber’s Love Life After Past Posts
Justin Bieber had fans talking last year after going public with some very messy messages. Back in June, he shared screenshots of a conversation with an unnamed individual, admitting he “will never suppress” his emotions. The exchange ended with Bieber declaring the friendship “officially over” and calling the person an expletive, leaving fans shook by how raw he kept it.
The following day, Bieber continued the conversation on his Instagram Story, urging people to stop asking if he was okay and reflecting on the exhaustion of self-healing. “I know I’m broken, I know I have anger issues,” he wrote, sparking even more chatter online.
2025 felt like a year where music refused to sit still. Every week brought a new sound, a new story, a new artist stepping into their moment. The team at THP HQ went through the annual ritual of debating, defending, and passionately campaigning for our faves, and it wasn’t easy narrowing this beast of a year down to just fifty albums. But we did it… just about. So grab your headphones, a snack, and maybe some tissues; here are The Honey POP’s Top 50 Albums of 2025!
That’s Showbiz, Baby! – JADE
Jade had us waiting for a hot minute for this album, but wow, was it worth it. That’s Showbiz Baby! is easily one of the most exciting pop releases we’ve had in years; it’s pure pop perfection from beginning to end. Every step of the journey has felt unmistakably and unapologetically Jade. She made an unforgettable entrance with ‘Angel Of My Dreams,’ a moment so defining it earned her first-ever BRIT Award for Pop Act earlier this year. It left everyone wondering what her sound would be after such an eclectic debut. The answer? Bold, in-your-face, and absolutely brilliant. Her debut record is stacked with standouts, from the confident, main-character strut of ‘IT Girl’ to the fiery sass of ‘FUFN.’
And just when we thought she couldn’t top it, Jade closed the year by dropping That’s Showbiz Baby! The Encore, adding eight new tracks, including the stunningly dramatic ‘Church’ and her fierce take on Madonna’s ‘Frozen.’ The deluxe edition doesn’t just elevate the album; it extends the pop excellence she’s already delivered. Jade isn’t simply following trends… she is the trend. With this record, she cements her place as the newest it girl, carving out her space in pop history. And honestly? We’re fully strapped in for the ride. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks:‘Angel Of My Dreams,’ ‘It Girl,’ and ‘Church’
Golden Hour Pt 3: In Your Fantasy – ATEEZ
Honestly, these men really are making all our fantasies come true with every new piece of content they release. The third installment of the Golden Hour series gave us a softer yet more mature side of ATEEZ in the best way possible, showing how the group can do anything they put their minds to. From the moment we heard the R&B and hip-hop mixture of ‘Lemon Drop,’ we knew this album was going to be completely different from what we’ve seen before in the best way. Most of all, we’d say that’s reflected in the solo songs we got from each ATEEZ member, where we can see all their talent shine in their own unique styles. From Hongjoong’s hype beats in ‘NO1’ to Jongho’s stunning vocals in ‘To Be Your Light’, it’s safe to say that, in Captain’s words, they’re “getting in our heads,” with this album. – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Now This House Ain’t A Home,’ ‘Lemon Drop’ and ‘In Your Fantasy’
NO LABELS: Part 01 – YEONJUN
Yeonjun’s NO LABELS: PART 01 is easily in the running for the best debut album of 2025. Although, in line with its concept, perhaps we shouldn’t give it any titles? Regardless, across the six tracks, Yeonjun fully realizes a very succinct vision, whilst also proving that he’s capable of doing any genre or style he sets his mind to. Where he could’ve turned out a perfect pop album (which we also would’ve loved), Yeonjun defied expectations by releasing an album far grittier, bolder, and more daring than anticipated.
None of these facets of Yeonjun came as a surprise to MOAs, but they are more crystal clear than ever before. From the derisive nonchalance of ‘Do It’ to the earnest sensuality of ‘Let Me Tell You (with Daniela of KATSEYE),’ NO LABELS: PART 01 is both concise and eclectic. Is it too soon to predict NO LABELS: PART 02 will be on this list in 2026? – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Coma,’ ‘Do It,’ and ‘Nothin’ ‘Bout Me’
So Close To What – Tate McRae
From a career-defining single run (seriously, probably our favorite rollout ever) to new songs that make her one of the pop princesses of the year, Tate McRae’s So Close To What has to be talked about when discussing the music that we’ve loved in 2025. This album is a masterpiece from top to bottom! Not only does it have bops that make us feel confident and let our hair loose, but it also includes some of the deepest stories that Tate has told through her tracks. So Close To What has been our favorite era with her, making it even more fun with a world tour full of amazing performances and making her even more worthy of the superstar status. It’s a perfect pop album in our books!
The deluxe, SO CLOSE TO WHAT???, is also incredible. The five songs Tate has added to her Miss Possessive universe show a lot of growth, not only in her lyrics and mission for these tracks, but also in her production. We feel like this deluxe is Tate’s best music yet. It’s so hard to choose our favorites! – María Solano
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Miss possessive,’ ‘bloodonmyhands (feat. Flo Milli), and ‘No I’m not in love’
Beautiful Chaos – KATSEYE
Is it too soon to say that KATSEYE are well on their way to being the world’s biggest girl group? Because it certainly seems like they’re heading that way! The girls had their first comeback this year, first with ‘Gnarly,’ and then with their BEAUTIFUL CHAOS EP. Each and every song on this album has had a stand-out moment, not least ‘Gabriela,’ which earned KATSEYE their first GRAMMY nomination! The most underrated is the b-side ‘Mean Girls,’ which sees KATSEYE channel their girl-power energy in a less ferocious way than is typical for them. But, speaking of ferocious, it was ‘Gnarly’ that probably brought the girls the most notoriety; it was instantly divisive upon release, but it feels pretty safe to say it’s won over even the harshest of critics now. To anyone who still isn’t on board, haven’t you considered that boba tea is ‘Gnarly?’ – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Gnarly,’ ‘M.I.A,’ and ‘Gabriela’
UXLXVE – XLOV
XLOV is by far one of the most exciting up-and-coming groups around. And they lived up to that hype with UXLXVE, their first mini-album. In each of the six tracks, you get the sense that XLOV really understands their audience, a feat which many more established artists still grapple with. UXLXVE switches seamlessly between soft melodies, euphoric pop, and sensual R&B. We always love a K-Pop group that is so hands-on in the creative process, and that’s exactly what XLOV is. Their leader, Wumuti, is heavily involved in songwriting and production, and all the members contribute in one way or another, from their concept to their styling and beyond. And look, we wouldn’t admit to being totally obsessed with a song about rizz of all things if we could avoid it. But, just like Taemin got us with ‘The Rizzness,’ XLOV’s ‘Rizz’ is just that undeniably good. – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Rizz,’ ‘Scent,’ and ‘Biii:-P’
TUNNEL VISION – ITZY
The debate over whether to include Girls Will Be Girls or TUNNEL VISION as one of the best albums of 2025 could go on forever. It goes to show just how many incredible songs ITZY have delivered this year. Ultimately, the concept, the experimentation, and the cohesiveness in TUNNEL VISION make it the epitome of what ITZY are capable of. Starting with an intro track as gripping as ‘FOCUS,’ we knew TUNNEL VISION would be one of those mini-albums that leave a mark in ITZY’s career. ‘TUNNEL VISION’ is confident, assertive, empowering, and speaks to ITZY’s journey and restless ambition.
But ‘TUNNEL VISION’ is far from the only standout on this release; songs like ‘DYT’ elevate ideas from previous releases, and ‘8-BEAT HEART’ showcases ITZY’s unique, cheeky, fun yet experimental side. Yet songs like ‘Nocturne’ show a sweeter, yet more profound, side, without losing the sound that makes them so special. TUNNEL VISION showcases everything we love about ITZY, takes it to a whole new level, and opens the doors even further for what they can achieve as a group – and we’re here for every part of it. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks:‘TUNNEL VISION,’ ‘DYT,’ and ‘8-BIT HEART’
Magic Man II – Jackson Wang
Magic Man II is by far one of the best albums we’ve heard this year. It’s pure, unfiltered art in the form of 11 songs that narrate the process of overcoming hard times by allowing yourself to feel your feelings and process them in a healthy way. Jackson mentioned multiple times throughout the year how taking a year off and enjoying his time with friends and family helped create all the songs present in MM II, and it shows for sure. From opening with ‘High Alone’ to closing with ‘Made Me A Man,’ we are taken on this journey of self-reflection that resonates deeply with anyone who’s been through hard moments.
Personally, we’ve listened to ‘GBAD’ more times than we’d like to admit for its message about protecting our peace even if it makes us a villain in someone else’s story, and cried listening to Jackson’s beautiful tribute to his parents in songs like ‘Dear’ and ‘Sophy Ricky.’ And we can’t finish this without mentioning how ‘Made Me A Man’ was the perfect closer to the album, reinforcing what Jackson has been saying since the beginning: everything that happens to us, good or bad, makes us who we are, we just have to accept that and make the best of it. – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘GBAD,’ ‘Sophy Ricky’ and ‘Made Me A Man’
Breach – Twenty One Pilots
As a direct follow-up to their 2024 album, Clancy, Twenty One Pilots released one album to tie up the lore and storylines they had been building up for over a decade. And just like Clancy last year, Breach has unsurprisingly made it into our top albums of the year! Breach is first and foremost an album that celebrates the universe Twenty One Pilots have created with every aspect of their art: from the music, to the lyrics, to the music videos. The end of Clancy announced the comeback of Blurryface, and Breach sees how they go face-to-face with this infamous character, precisely a decade after the release of Blurryface.
Breach has even more layers than the usual Twenty One Pilots release, as it includes, in the most genius and satisfying way, references to some of their most iconic and meaningful songs. From tracks like ‘City Walls, ‘ which follow Twenty One Pilots’ signature sound, to songs like ‘Days Lie Dormant,’ which offer a new element to their discography. Even as Breach reminisces on Twenty One Pilots’ journey as artists, it also expands their horizons as musicians and brings something new and refreshing to the table. Twenty One Pilots’ entire career comes down to this album, and it is a beyond-impressive one. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘City Walls,’ ‘The Contract,’ and ‘Downstairs’
Man’s Best Friend – Sabrina Carpenter
Call men out on their cr*p and face your problems head-on, but make it cute: the recipe for success, according to Miss Sabrina Carpenter. And let’s face it, it’s working wonders for her (and us), and Man’s Best Friend is proof of it. We can’t count how many times we’ve screamed the lyrics to ‘Manchild’ in our cars or laughed while listening to ‘Nobody’s Son’ because it reminded us of someone, but that’s the magic of Sabrina’s music: it makes serious situations lighter with her cheeky lyrics and unique voice. In our opinion, it’s only further up from here for this pop princess, and we can only hope to be along for the ride with her! – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Manchild,’ ‘Nobody’s Son’ and ‘Never Getting Laid’
K-Pop Demon Hunters Soundtrack
Now, how could we write about our top 50 albums without including the soundtrack of the year? K-Pop Demon Hunters not only smashed it in terms of movie records, but its soundtrack album was quite the success, too. From the lightning-fast energy of anthems like ‘Golden’ and ‘How It’s Done’ to the sleek swagger of villain-boy-band bops like ‘Soda Pop’ and ‘Your Idol,’ the album takes you on a wild ride between hero-team high drama and devilish-charm chaos.
Then, when tracks like ‘What It Sounds Like’ drop for the stirring score, you feel that emotional weight, like battle scars made beautiful by music. Whether you’re rooting for the supernatural girl-group heroes or vibing with the darker side, the soundtrack never asks you to pick sides, it just demands you dance, feel, and get swept up. K-Pop Demon Hunters doesn’t just soundtrack a story; it gives you a full-on K-Pop fantasy world you might never want to leave. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks:‘How It’s Done’, ‘Soda Pop’, and ‘Golden’
Wishbone – Conan Gray
Conan Gray only needs a guitar and his lyrics to create one of the best albums of the year. After the release of Found Heaven last year, a new Conan Gray album wasn’t in our bingo card for 2025. Yet, Wishbone arrived in our lives to take over all of our playlists. For this album, Conan went back to his roots and stripped the creation down to just him and a few trusted producers. The result was a raw album full of vulnerability and some of his best songwriting as he tells an introspective story of a failed love. And no one does that quite like Conan Gray.
The title says it all: Wishbone refers to the way someone always gets the biggest piece of a wishbone. Kicking off the album with ‘Actor,’ the song already announces where the story would end, and yet tracks like ‘This Song’ make us feel every ounce of love that was once there. Songs like ‘Nauseous’ are where Conan shines as a songwriter, opening up about himself through his music, being raw and vulnerable. Still, his use of imagery and metaphor reaches its peak in ‘Eleven Eleven.’ Conan has always been an incredible storyteller, and through this album, he showed even more growth as an artist, and yes, these songs will haunt us forever now. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Actor,’ ‘Vodka Cranberry,’ and ‘Eleven Eleven’
ORDER Chaos ORDER – Calum Hood
5 Seconds of Summer has given us so much this year, but one thing that they never lack is incredible music. As we reflect on our favorite albums of 2025, we have to mention the masterpiece by our beloved Calum: ORDER chaos ORDER.
If we were to describe this album in one word, we would use vulnerability. Mr. Calum Hood has always left us speechless with the way his music is both relatable and unique, and ORDER chaos ORDER is a rollercoaster of emotions. This project is for those who love to be connected with their deepest feelings, but also for the dreamers. Our favorite thing from this incredible album is the lyricism. Calum does a lot of introspection throughout these tracks, thinking about the “what ifs” and the “what could’ve beens” while giving us the feeling of living in a permanent summer sunset.
We’re so thankful for living in the same timeline as this genius, and we are so proud of Calum for allowing us to explore this solo musical journey!
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Streetwise,’ ‘Dark Circles,’ ‘Sunsetter’
Sidequest – Michael Clifford
Speaking of 5SOS and their 10/10 run this year, we obviously have to mention the coolness of Michael Clifford! His solo album, SIDEQUEST, gives us super fun aesthetics and a taste of pop-punk blending that has sparkled in Michael’s style since he started sharing his music with us. Eclectic colors, fuzzy shapes, and video game screens are the visual standouts of this era, but he also wanted to share how mature he has become and push his producing abilities for this release. Michael wanted to combine his alternative music lover personality with his newest electronic inspirations to make SIDEQUEST as authentic as possible. And we think he has covered all of his wishes with this release!
He has collaborated with some amazing artists for some of the tracks, but SIDEQUEST is a purely Michael Clifford creation. From writing all the lyrics to mastering the record, Michael has poured his entire soul in his solo adventure. We’re so happy that our 2025 has been blessed by his great songs!
THP’s Song Picks: ‘give me a break! (feat. waterparks)’ because we will always be PARXSOS truthers, ‘cool,’ ‘enough’
Caligo Pt.1 – PLAVE
PLAVE’sCaligo Pt.1 slinks onto your playlist like moonlight on water, moody, stylish, and full of surprises. From the rock-fuelled punch of opener ‘Dash’ to the silky R&B glow of ‘Island,’ the record shows off the group’s range without ever tipping into over-ambition. Tracks like ‘Chroma Drift’ bring retro city-pop warmth with airy saxophone lines and smooth grooves, while ‘12:32 (A to T)’ offers a quiet, tender moment that feels like a whispered late-night promise.
Even the laid-back hip-hop charm of ‘RIZZ’ adds a cheeky swagger, proving PLAVE aren’t afraid to play with tone and texture. Caligo Pt. 1 is a polished, genre-hopping mini-album that shows PLAVE knows exactly how to set a mood, whether you’re craving a punch, a slow groove, or a dreamy escape. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Chroma Drift,’ ‘Island,’ and ‘Dash’
fe304: FORWARD – NMIXX
If there’s one group we could easily add both releases of the year to the list, it would hands down be NMIXX. With the release of Blue Valentine later in the year, they made history and established themselves as the force they were always meant to be. And while Blue Valentine is the first full-length album of a lifetime and would also deserve a place in our list, it is difficult to compete against the absolute jaw-dropping masterpiece that is their Fe304: FORWARD mini-album.
Starting the era with ‘High Horse,’ we knew NMIXX weren’t here to play, as they showcased their contemporary dancing skills and their beyond-powerful vocals. ‘High Horse’ is the most unique, special, and mind-blowing release of K-Pop, not only this year. And the best song of the year could only be followed by a show-stopping title track like ‘KNOW ABOUT ME,’ which highlighted their harmonies and synergy. It doesn’t stop there, though, because every song in Fe304: FORWARD is a unique piece that showcases NMIXX’s restless love for experimenting with music, vocals, and pushing their sound beyond any barrier, leading us to K-Pop excellence in songs like ‘Papillon.’ From track 1 with ‘High Horse’ to track 6 with ‘Ocean,’ FE304: FORWARD is a masterclass in not only what K-Pop can and should be, but also in what music is all about. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘High Horse,’ ‘KNOW ABOUT ME,’ and ‘Papillon’
People Watching – Sam Fender
Sam Fender scored a hat-trick with his third studio album, People Watching. We’ve been fans of Sam for a long time, and we’re still taken by surprise every time he releases something new, and he’s somehow managed to get even better! In People Watching, Sam, once again, delves into the personal and political. And not the kind of grand, sweeping political gesturing many celebrities make, but deeply felt, nuanced commentaries on social class, capitalism, and more. This has been a keystone in Sam’s discography from the start, but it’s rare not to see this fade away once an artist reaches the levels of success that Sam has. The intricate nature of Sam’s lyricism is only amplified by the stadium-level production he puts behind it. The duality shouldn’t work, but for the third album in a row, Sam Fender has proved he’s one of the few who can make it happen. – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘People Watching,’ ‘Chin Up,’ and ‘Remember My Name’
The Star Chapter: Together – TOMORROW X TOGETHER
TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s latest full-length album, The Star Chapter: TOGETHER, feels like a kaleidoscope of sounds and emotions, all tied together by the group’s unmistakable energy and ambition. From the vibrant, ‘80s-tinged synth-pop of opener ‘Upside Down Kiss’ to the soaring, yearning melodies of lead single ‘Beautiful Strangers,’ the album draws you in with lush production and hooks that linger.
The solo songs, from the carefree falsetto glide of ‘Sunday Driver’ to the raw emotional surge of ‘Take My Half,’ let each member shine in their own lane while still feeling connected to the group’s wider universe. When tracks like ‘Bird of Night’ drift in on soft piano and gentle vocals, or when ‘Dance With You’ pulses with sultry rhythm and playful groove, TXT shows they’re unafraid to explore new moods and musical corners. The Star Chapter: TOGETHER doesn’t just showcase growth, it delivers a full-on emotional ride, blending confidence, vulnerability, and that signature “we’re all in this together” spirit that makes it impossible not to hit replay. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks:‘Beautiful Strangers,’ ‘Ghost Girl,’ and ‘Song of the Stars’
Love & Hyperbole – Alessia Cara
With the release of ‘Dead Man’ as the lead single of Alessia Cara’s new album last summer, Love & Hyperbolewas an album that had been among our most anticipated of 2025. And ten months after its release, it has remained one of the year’s most memorable albums. Songs like ‘Subside’ and ‘Fire’ find their way back into our minds constantly. Alessia Cara’s pen has never failed, but Love & Hyperbole reveals a side of her that is even more mature, profound, and introspective, while showcasing her unique, striking vocals. From ‘Dead Man,’ she dipped her toes into a more jazzy, darker side, and it set the tone for the entirety of the album.
Released on Valentine’s Day, she created a unique atmosphere in Love & Hyperbole where she explored all the different sides of love – the sense of freedom, the beauty, the heartbreak, and the aftermath. It’s smooth and relaxing, yet all the songs are filled with nuanced emotions in the most cathartic way, including some of her most beautiful songs about love and growth. Alessia has always had a way with music that sets her apart, and no album has showcased her unique vision and way with words quite like Love & Hyperbole. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Subside,’ ‘Clearly,’ and ‘Fire.’
Übermensch – G-Dragon
The king of K-Pop returns with another album full of bangers. Truly, GD is the Übermensch of the industry. Named after Nietzsche’s concept of the new goal for humanity, translated as “beyond-man,” the album definitely reflects the notion of “an individual who transcends themselves,” as G-Dragon himself put it. After 12 years without releasing a full-length album, GD reinvented himself once again and brought us eight insane tracks that just scream “this is what K-Pop is about,” mixing genres, bringing killer collabs, and reminding us why he’s considered one of the best rappers in the industry.
If we had to choose a single lyric to highlight from this album, it would have to be, “prove ‘em all wrong, I’ve got all the receipts,” from ‘Power,’ because there’s nothing quite like feeling like you have the power to do anything, and that’s exactly the feeling this song brings out in us. Also, excuse us while we fangirl over ‘Home Sweet Home,’ where GD brings his Big Bang members, Taeyang and Daesung, along for the ride, and they make it clear that their, “golden days are still alive,” which we couldn’t be happier to hear! – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Too Bad,’ ‘Power’ and ‘Drama’
Perrie – Perrie
After years of anticipation, our girl Perrie finally dropped her debut self-titled album… and it was worth every second of the wait. From the energetic yet bittersweet debut single ‘Forget About Us’ to the sassy, confident punch of ‘If He Wanted To He Would,’ this record delivers an irresistible mix of belting choruses and catchy hooks that practically beg you to roll the windows down and scream along. When she shifts into heart-tugging ballads like ‘Miss You’ or ‘Same Place Different View,’ her voice, crisp, emotive, and rich, turns heartbreak into something beautifully cathartic.
And then there are the groove-soaked moments like ‘Sand Dancer’ and ‘Pushing Up Daisies,’ proving Perrie is just as magnetic on the dance floor as she is behind a piano ballad. Overall, Perrie plays like the ultimate pop playlist: warm, inviting, and full of personality. It marks the official arrival of a solo star whose shine isn’t going anywhere. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s song picks: ‘Sand Dancer’, ‘Miss You’, and ‘If He Wanted To He Would’
KARMA – Stray Kids
Following world-changing releases like GO LIVE, NOEASY, and 5-STAR, the stakes and expectations were high for Stray Kids’ fourth full-length album, and KARMA met them without breaking a sweat. KARMA is an album that put Stray Kids’ success as a self-produced group in the forefront – it celebrated all sides of their artistry, their journey, their passion for music, their bond as a group, and their connection to fans. Coming right off the biggest K-Pop tour of the year, KARMA is directly inspired by the energy Stray Kids brought to the stage every night, as shown through songs like ‘Half Time.’
We also had hard-hitting songs with Stray Kids’ unique energy and undeniable rap skills, like ‘BLEEP’ and ‘CREED,’ as well as new ventures into EDM with ‘Phoenix’ and pop-punk with ‘In My Head.’ ‘MESS,’ ‘Ghost’ and ‘0801’ showed more vulnerability and introspection, giving KARMA a life on its own. It only makes sense that Stray Kids’ karma would come to fruition with this album, giving them their first MAMA daesang for Album of the Year. But more than anything, KARMA was about ‘CEREMONY’ and celebrating Stray Kids’ success despite adversity and the impact of their music. They were right: that ratio did get them worldwide. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘BLEEP,’ ‘CEREMONY,’ and ‘Phoenix’
Zara Larsson getting her flowers is long overdue, but better late than never! A long-time star across Europe, the U.S. is finally starting to take notice, thanks to the virality of Midnight Sun and Zara’s stint supporting Tate McRae on tour. Zara is by far one of pop’s most down-to-earth, relatable stars, whilst still giving us all the glitz and glam we could ever ask for! With Midnight Sun, Zara shows off her duality. The album is full of Eurodance and house-influenced tracks, underneath vocals so strong that she’s nicknamed Beyoncé’s adopted daughter. In the era of TikTok music, Zara Larsson has our vote as an artist who is doing that right, with integrity, and has our recommendation as a must-follow on social media! – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Girl’s Girl,’ ‘Midnight Sun,’ and ‘Blue Moon’
Idols – YUNGBLUD
YUNGBLUD is another artist who we’re thrilled to see finally getting their dues stateside! Idols kind of does what it says on the tin, full of references to the artists who inspire YUNGBLUD. From the offset of ‘Hello Heaven, Hello,’ YUNGBLUD is taking you on a journey, throughout musical styles but also seemingly through his own psyche, though YUNGBLUD himself has said this album came from the heart rather than the head. Since the very onset of his career, YUNGBLUD has toyed with genres with a very on-brand anarchic sensibility. Idols is no different, gifting us with stadium rock anthems featuring the London Philharmonic Orchestra. “Tell me, do you wanna feel alive?” Then listen to Idols. – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Hello Heaven, Hello,’ ‘Zombie,’ and ‘Lovesick Lullaby’
Knees Up – Olly Murs
Olly Murs’ new album Knees Up feels like a full-on invitation to the ultimate party; cheeky, upbeat, and unmistakably him. From the high-energy opener ‘Save Me’ to the ska-tinged swagger of ‘Bonkers,’ the record bursts with big hooks, big horns, and that playful charm fans always fall for. But there’s still plenty of heart woven in. Tracks like ‘Love = Madness’ and ‘Honest’ slip effortlessly between the pop bangers, giving space to his softer, more vulnerable side without dimming the party lights.
When he slows things down, whether it’s a tender ballad or a mellow groove, his vocals shine with that signature warmth and sincerity. In fact, this might be the closest we’ve ever gotten to Olly’s true live sound. So many of these songs carry the “big band” energy his concerts are known for, and it gives the whole record that full-bodied, feel-good lift. Knees Up isn’t here to reinvent the wheel; it’s here to remind you exactly why Olly Murs became the soundtrack to summer nights and late-night drives in the first place. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Save Me’, ‘Run This Town,’ and ‘Honest‘
Detox – ONE OK ROCK
You can always trust that ONE OK ROCK to deliver an album that will leave its mark on our entire year. Their eleventh album, DETOX, came out back in February and has remained in our top albums of the year. After the release of Luxury Disease in 2022, ONE OK ROCK collaborated with the legendary producer Rob Cavallo to create magic once again. The main single, ‘Dystopia,’ says it all: DETOX questions the world, sees the ugliness, but also serves as a break and a necessary cathartic disconnect from the real world. While DETOX has some good pop bangers like ‘Tropical Therapy,’ it also saw ONE OK ROCK going back to their roots: it’s their heaviest album in years.
It opens with a track like ‘NASTY’ that hits hard just in the right way, and they collaborated with Paledusk and CHICO CARLITO in one of their heaviest tracks yet, ‘C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y.’ And still, it has its vulnerable and beautiful moments like ‘Tiny Pieces’ and even more so ‘This Can’t Be Us’ that push their musicality and Taka’s vocals even more. DETOX is an album that manages to package everything that makes ONE OK ROCK so special and unique, all their experimentation and experience with different genres, into 11 flawless tracks. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks:‘Nasty,’ ‘Party’s Over,’ and ‘This Can’t Be Us’
Hometown – BamBam
BamBam Thai album. That’s it, that’s the tweet. Actually, it’s not, we’re gonna talk a lot about Hometown. For the first time in 14 years since his debut, BamBam released an EP fully in Thai, and the project is all we could’ve wanted and so much more! From the dreamy vibes of ‘WONDERING’ all the way to the more modern feel of ‘Dancing By Myself,’ HOMETOWN is a beautiful and heartwarming tribute to his origins, and we can definitely hear all the love and care BamBam put into every song, once again proving his talent knows no bounds. And neither do his connections in the industry, apparently, seeing as he got some of the most popular names in Thai music to feature in HOMETOWN.
Seriously, Jeff Satur in ‘More Than Friend,’ TIMETHAI in ‘Dancing By Myself’ and INK WARUNTORN in ‘Greenlight?’ Perfection! And we can’t help but mention how finishing the EP off with ‘Angel in Disguise,’ an ethereal fantasy in song form produced by Pharrell Williams, that really evokes the feeling of coming home. More than an album, HOMETOWN is an invitation into BamBam’s world, and we’re more than happy to accept it.– Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘WONDERING,’ ‘More Than Friend’ and ‘Angel in Disguise’
The Life Of A Showgirl – Taylor Swift
The Life of a Showgirl may have been released in October, but it became one of the most talked about albums of the year in a matter of a few hours – needless to say, that even after the Eras Tour, Taylor is still taking the world by storm. Taylor Swift mixed a new and old approach when it came to the writing of this album, going back to her most-pop era collaborator Max Martin – the mastermind behind her best and most iconic albums, such as 1989 and Reputation – but also offering a new style of writing in these songs.
Opening the album with pure Taylor pop gold with ‘The Fate of Ophelia,’ there was no escaping this song or this entire album. Catchy pop songs like ‘Opalite’ and ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ explored her newfound peace and love, while delving into some of her deeper past fears, and songs like ‘Father Figure’ explored darker sides of the industry. The final and title track of the album sums up the message of the entire release, and choosing to feature Sabrina Carpenter is nothing short of genius. The Life of a Showgirl explores the pressure of the public eye, the complex relationships within the industry, but also love and change, all in the unique style of Taylor Swift. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘The Fate of Ophelia,’ ‘Elizabeth Taylor,’ and ‘Opalite’
Echo – Jin
Jin’s new solo drop, Echo, sits somewhere between a heart-shattering breakup diary and a late-night drive soundtrack, and it is deliciously dramatic. From the gut-punch ache of the lead single ‘Don’t Say You Love Me’ to the smoky pop-rock moments that slide between piano-led introspection and guitar-fuelled alt-rock, this record finds Jin digging deeper into his feelings than ever. His voice? Still, that honey-soft velvet that somehow makes heartbreak sound golden.
Tracks like the tongue-in-cheek country-rock standout ‘Rope It’ add a playful, familiar charm, giving his more cinematic, melancholic moments even more room to breathe. And when he leans fully into that emotional storytelling, the album glows with the kind of star power only Jin can pull off: confident, tender, and unexpectedly bold all at once. Echo doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it polishes it so well that by the time the last track fades out, you realize it’s taken you for a ride anyway. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Top Picks: ‘Background,’ ‘With The Clouds,’ and ‘Rope It’
This Is For – TWICE
We have to talk about TWICE every year, their music is a staple for us! Our favorite girls have celebrated their tenth anniversary this year, and that shows how unstoppable they’ve been in 2025! We feel like we’ve grown with them through this decade, and their full album from this year, THIS IS FOR, is a perfect example, celebrating their evolution as well as a new chapter for the group.
TWICE reflects and shows their talent through THIS IS FOR with songs that include the whole group, as well as amazing sub-units that were amazing surprises for us! With this album, we’ve gotten to hear new combinations and new styles that we’ve never heard before, and it’s incredible how much the members want to show new sides of themselves, even after ten years of releasing some of the most iconic K-Pop tracks. They want to show us how passionate they are, as well as deliver empowering messages to their fans. THIS IS FOR is TWICE’s most mature project, and it keeps being as fun, groovy, and legendary as the rest of their discography! Our biggest 2025 wish is to keep celebrating more decades with them!
You know we love our rookie groups, and ARrC is no exception. We knew these boys were going to be big since their debut last year with AR^C, and this year’s releases only confirmed our suspicions. Their third mini-album, HOPE, released in July, brought us five absolute bangers that showcase the group’s musical versatility, going from ‘awesome,’ which takes inspiration from 2000s hip-hop, all the way to the neo-soul influences of ‘night life.’ We also can’t help but mention the messages in their lyrics.
Staying true to their name (“Always Remember the real Connection”), the group’s focus stays on positive messages about staying optimistic even in the middle of a chaotic world and staying true to yourself, and we cannot wait to see what our boys will be up to next in their career! – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘awesome,’ ‘night life’ and ‘vitamin I’
Only cry in the rain – CHUU
In the post-LOONA era we unfortunately have to live in, the girls continuously make it better by giving us some of the best releases K-Pop has to offer. This year, Chuu may have been booked and busy in variety shows and having her own tour, but it didn’t stop her from giving us her best mini-album yet: Only cry in the rain. Her previous flawless mini-albums established her as a soloist, and Only cry in the rain allowed her to go even deeper, offering five extremely recognizable, unique songs that fit together like a beautiful puzzle. ‘Only cry in the rain’ has a very clear concept and message: to find hope even in the darkest times while embracing all your emotions, including the pain.
Chuu used her addictive energy and positivity to create a mini-album that brings comfort and love, and doesn’t forget to have fun like in songs like ‘Back in Town’ and the viral ‘Kiss a Kitty.’ While ‘Je t’aime’ is a beautiful love song, ‘No More’ ends the release on a high note of positivity and empowerment. All tied together by Chuu’s infectious personality and stunning vocals, Only cry in the rain became a ray of light in our lives. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Only cry in the rain,’ ‘Je t’aime,’ and ‘No More’
Underwater – Big Ocean
2025 marked a huge turning point for Big Ocean. A year into their debut, they stepped confidently into a mature, sultry concept that completely shed any “young and innocent” expectations people once had. Their second mini album, Underwater, pulls you straight into an ocean of mystery; it’s moody, cinematic, and fully immersive. From the raw ache of PJ’s solo track ‘SINKING’ to the slick, cool allure of ‘FADE OUT,’ co-penned by Chanyeon, every song feels like a wave tugging at your heartstrings.
Then comes the title track ‘ATTENTION,’ a hypnotic surge of confidence with commanding vocals that dare you to dive deeper. And by the time ‘End of Time’ drifts in under moonlight, a love letter to PADO straight from the members’ hearts, it feels like the final piece of a fully realised concept. Underwater isn’t just a comeback; it’s a transformation. With its mermaid-inspired visuals, emotional depth, and bold tonal shift, the album proves that Big Ocean isn’t afraid to explore their shadowy depths, and they surface stronger, more expressive, and endlessly magnetic. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks:‘Attention,’ ‘Sinking,’ and ‘End Of Time’
The Misunderstood EP – Hannah Bahng
Our Aussie girl is back once more on this list with another bahng-er (hehe) in the form of The Misunderstood EP. Vocals? On point. Lyrics? Gut-wrenchingly beautiful. Our ears? Blessed! One of our absolute faves from the EP is ‘IM ME AGAIN,’ an ethereal track that showcases both Hannah’s talent for lyricism as well as her gorgeous voice in the best way possible. We also got our hearts slightly broken while listening to ‘RIBS,’ but coming from Hannah, we’re willing to accept that. The Misunderstood EP feels like a natural evolution from her previous release, The Abysmal EP, but more mature and experienced, and we cannot wait to see what comes next for this amazing girl we love so much. – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘what never lived,’ ‘IM ME AGAIN,’ and ‘RIBS’
Wait On Me – KAI
KAI’s fourth solo album was far more understated than its predecessors, but no less worthy of acclaim or a spot on our top 50! KAI’s first release since returning from the military, everyone was anticipating Wait On Me, whether you’re an EXOL or not. Wait On Me also brought KAI’s first solo tour, which THP was lucky enough to attend, basically making all our dreams come true. And no, we won’t be taking this opportunity to talk about the ‘Pressure’ choreography. The singles, ‘Adult Swim’ and ‘Wait On Me,’ didn’t have the same fanfare as the likes of ‘Rover’ or ‘Mmmh,’ but still reiterated KAI’s status as one of K-Pop’s very best. Wait On Me is rife with KAI’s sensual artistry, honey-smooth vocals, and legendary performance skills. As KAI says in ‘Flight to Paris,’ “Get away from the mundane,” and check out Wait On Me. – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Flight to Paris,’ ‘Walls Don’t Talk,’ and ‘Pressure’
DESIRE : UNLEASH – ENHYPEN
We can trust ENHYPEN to always deliver incredible music, and their 2025, DESIRE: UNLEASH, is truly everything that we wanted, and more! We have already explored their sweet romantic side with ROMANCE: UNTOLD, but this year’s project was a total 180 (in the best way!). With this comeback, ENHYPEN wanted to focus more on the mysterious lust and daring side of vampires. Everything surrounding DESIRE: UNLEASH was designed to make us want more, from the amazing songs to the visuals that they keep on serving!
We believe that ENHYPEN has created one of the best K-Pop discographies ever, and the addictive tracks from this project could only have been created by this group. The title track, ‘Bad Desire (With or Without You),’ follows how the group longs and yearns for true love. It goes along with their lore so well! And, of course, their b-sides keep getting better and better, following their enigmatic sides with passion and fiery romance. We love how the group keeps adding chapters to their storytelling through music that we can’t get enough of! – María Solano
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Outside,’ ‘Helium,’ and ‘Bad Desire (With or Without You)’
Winter Heptagon – GOT7
Mature, charming, and unapologetically GOT7 at its finest… that’s how we’d describe Winter Heptagon in one sentence. We knew this year was going to be a good one when we heard Winter Heptagon for the first time in January. With nine songs total and at least one written by each member, GOT7’s 13th mini album truly shows off how versatile the group is. And it’s amazing to be able to tell which song belongs to who just by listening. We knew the R&B vibe present in ‘Remember’ was Yugyeom’s doing, and ‘SMOOTH’ has Jackson’s signature written all over it, and that goes for all of them.
We were so glad to see GOT7 back together, making music and visibly enjoying every second. Frankly, Winter Heptagon brought us some much-needed warmth, and we can’t wait to see what else our lovely, chaotic seven have in store for us in the future. – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘PYTHON,’ ‘Yours Truly,’ and ‘SMOOTH’
Am I The Drama? – Cardi B
Seven years is a long time to wait for a sophomore album, but Am I The Drama? proves, once again, that Cardi B plays by her own rules and comes out on top. Across 23 songs, Cardi flexes her versatility to such an extent that even dedicated fans might’ve been surprised. From vulnerable R&B to maximalist anthems to that highly anticipated diss track, not one of these songs could be accused of being filler. Another decision Cardi made for Am I The Drama? that we love? With the exception of ‘Up’ and ‘WAP,’ Cardi didn’t add the plethora of hit singles she’s had in the interim between Invasion of Privacy and Am I The Drama?. In a music industry that’s ruled by numbers, the decision to prioritize artistry over debuting an album with an extra 2 billion streams from the get-go is one we’ll always respect. – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Imaginary Playerz,’ ‘Pretty & Petty,’ and ‘Safe’
Permission to Dance On Stage: Live – BTS
2025 marked a huge moment in BTS history: the year all seven members finally returned from military service, sending ARMY into full celebration mode. Soon after their discharge, the members headed straight back into the studio to begin preparing for their highly anticipated return to music. While we’re more than happy to wait (perfection takes time, after all), they made sure we were well fed in the meantime with Permission To Dance: LIVE. Pulled from shows between 2021 and 2022, this project is BTS’s first-ever live album, and it serves as a powerful reminder of just how phenomenal they are as performers.
The album leans into nostalgia while spotlighting the strength of their live vocals, even as they tackle intense choreography. From fresh arrangements on classics like ‘FIRE’ to the rich, prominent live instrumentals, Permission To Dance: LIVE brings us one step closer to their eagerly awaited 2026 comeback and the tour that the members have been teasing. It leaves us buzzing for the day we finally see all seven of them light up a stage together again. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Fire,’ ‘Black Swan,’ and ‘Permission To Dance’
WRLD – The Rose
If you asked us what The Rose’s WRLDfeels like, we’d say it feels like a warm hug after a long day. It’s like Woosung, Dojoon, Hajoon, and Jaehyung are telling us everything will be okay through these seven songs. And not only did they do that through the lyrics, but The Rose also gave us a stunning video on their YouTube channel where they play the songs, creating a truly immersive experience for all of us.
As huge fans of immersive visuals in songwriting that we are, of course, we’d be obsessed with ‘Nebula,’ where subtle chords mix with lyrics like, “Counting stars, I closed my eyes / Searching for answers of life…” to create a perfect atmosphere. We’re also absolutely in love with Tomorrow’ and how it brings the feeling of being hopeful for the future, after all, “Tomorrow we’ll be okay.” And now on to the closing track, ‘Ticket To The Sky,’ it honestly feels like coming home to who we love and feeling safe in their embrace. Yes, we cried a little (or a lot). Don’t judge us. – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Nebula,’ ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘Ticket To The Sky’
SWAG – Justin Bieber
2025 has been the year of unforgettable comebacks, including the rise of the iconic Justin Bieber, and bringing him back to our on-repeat playlists! Justin has released not one, but two special R&B albums, called SWAG and SWAG II. These releases show us how much this genre and his personal style are a true fit for one another. We’ve decided to focus on the first album from this duology, since it was the one that announced his big return, but we recommend listening to both to get the complete story of where Justin has been.
As Justin has been experiencing adulthood, this new music represents growth. SWAG is a collection of his feelings while dealing with adult themes such as faith, marriage, and loyalty. As enjoyers of Justin’s R&B, we fell in love with this album. All of the tracks are cohesive, and they’re perfect if you want to enjoy the production and collaboration that comes with this genre. We can’t talk about 2025 without mentioning this big comeback!
THP’s Song Picks: ‘TOO LONG,’ ‘405,’ ‘WALKING AWAY’
No Genre – BOYNEXTDOOR
Listening to BOYNEXTDOOR turns our whole day around! We can recognize their music anywhere by their energy, and 2025 has been an incredibly busy year for them. They’ve shown us how versatile they are through this year’s releases, including No Genre, a mini-album full of tracks created by the members that highlights the message of embracing your true identity.
No Genre’s songs are playful and colorful, and they are all incredibly different from one another! If this were your first taste of the group, you would’ve discovered their hunger to display their artistry. BOYNEXTDOOR was in charge of this entire comeback, including the storytelling and the lyricism of the tracks. The members are deeply connected with No Genre, and we’re so happy to see that more groups are in charge of their creative works in K-Pop. This project shows that the group is here to conquer K-Pop’s fifth gen, and we can’t wait to keep seeing what they create in their next releases!
THP’s Song Picks: ‘I Feel Good,’ ‘123-78,’ and ‘Next Mistake’
Everyone’s A Star! – 5SOS
If you’re at all familiar with The Honey POP and our origin story, you would’ve probably expected this album in our top 50, right? After three long years (the pain of which was admittedly soothed by solo releases from every member), 5SOS returned with EVERYONE’S A STAR!, and we’re toying with the notion that this might be their best album yet. This album truly encapsulates all four members’ musical tastes, their sense of humor, their fanbase, and their talents. EAS! is an album that could only be made by a band that has been in the industry as long as 5SOS has; it exists perfectly in the balance between being self-aware and realistic, without being jaded and cynical. Even more than that, EVERYONE’S A STAR! was 5SOS’s most exciting (and well-executed) album rollout yet. Move over, ’She’s Kinda Hot’ graffiti livestream! – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Evolve,’ ‘Boyband,’ and ‘istillfeelthesame’
Ruby – JENNIE
If you were wondering, no, nobody does it like JENNIE! 2025 has been a huge year for the BLACKPINK members, both as a group with a new release and a world tour, and as soloists. All of them now have incredible albums under their belts! We want to highlight one of our favorites that has been appearing in all of our Spotify Wrappeds: Ruby. JENNIE has always been one of our favorite K-POP icons, but this album has made her conquer all of our hearts and our playlists!
We always associate Ruby with empowerment and owning your personal evolution. We have been craving to enjoy a full project created by JENNIE for as long as we can remember, and we wanted to hear her story from her, and only from her. We knew she was going to knock our socks out, as she has always delivered breathtaking concepts and songs that make history. This album gives us a glimpse into JENNIE’s creative mind through raw storytelling and versatility. Whether you prefer to listen to her iconic and catchy raps, her pop perfection with collaborations with amazing artists, or you love her vocals and her exploration through her growth, JENNIE does it all in Ruby. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect project to define our year! – María Solano
THP’s Song Picks: ‘with the IE (way up),’ ‘ZEN,’ ‘Filter’ (and of course, special mention to ‘like JENNIE’. Such an iconic title track!)
Back To Life – &TEAM
&TEAM’s Korean debut had been highly anticipated for three years, albeit a little confusingly, given they’ve always straddled the line between J-Pop and K-Pop, and have promoted Korean versions of most of their songs. But nonetheless, we’re so happy they’ve officially debuted, but we’re pretty sure &TEAM’s excitement superseded even the most hyped LUNÉs. The members clearly worked so hard on every aspect of this era, from the vocals to the performance to all of the extracurricular activities that come along with being a K-Pop idol.
The title track, ‘Back To Life,’ was &TEAM at their very best, with rock melodies and vocals mixed with hip-hop sensibilities and choreography. This versatility is matched (‘Mismatch-ed?!’) with the far more overtly hip-hop influenced coupling track, ‘Lunatic.’ This one-two punch of a rock anthem and a hip-hop banger has worked for &TEAM for several comebacks now, and we don’t see that changing anytime soon. Also, what on earth happened to Jo this era?! We’re still not ok. – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Lunatic,’ ‘Mismatch,’ and ‘Back To Life’
Debí Tirar Más Fotos – Bad Bunny
No one does Latin pop like Bad Bunny does Latin pop. Benito chose to start the year with a bang in the form of Debí Tirar Más Fotos. The album is a love letter to his Puerto Rican upbringing, but it resonated with the entire Latin American community, to the point where most recognized the feeling behind not just the lyrics, but also the cover with the two empty chairs.
The title track, ‘DtMF,’ deserves all the praise it got (and still gets) for translating the feeling of looking back on past moments and thinking “I should’ve appreciated these things and these people more,” and how we only seem to realize that once we’re away and missing it. We also cannot help but mention ‘LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,’ where Bad Bunny directly tells the people of Puerto Rico not to let their home lose its identity in the same way much of Hawaiian culture has been lost over the years. In summary, one of the best albums of 2025, and we can’t wait to see what songs Benito will be performing during the Super Bowl halftime show next year. – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,’ ‘DtMF’ and ‘LA MuDANZA’
Beautiful Mind – Xdinary Heroes
Xdinary Heroes debuted in 2021, and ever since, they’ve continued to push boundaries and expectations, carving out a space in the industry meant for them and them only. Last year was already a massive year for the band as they released their first full-length album, Troublemaker, and their more experimental mini-album, LIVE and FALL. Mix those two, and you get one of the absolute best releases by Xdinary Heroes yet: Beautiful Mind. ‘Beautiful Life’ is at the forefront of the album. This rhapsody draws direct inspiration from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen and ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’ by My Chemical Romance, adding Xdinary Heroes’ special spark to the mix and an opera-rock influence. It gave us one of the year’s most unique and unforgettable songs.
Beautiful Mind is a darker release, full of songs that push their sound to a new level while remaining true to Xdinary Heroes’ colors. From powerful ballads like ‘Supernatural’ to impactful, fun songs like ‘BBB,’ Xdinary Heroes packed some of their most unique and impressive songs in this mini-album, and created a new precedent in K-POP with Beautiful Mind. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Beautiful Life,’ ‘Supernatural,’ and ‘George the Lobster’
DUH! – P1HARMONY
The dark horse of K-Pop struck again in 2025 with the greatest comebacks ever! P1Harmony has been, once again, one of our favorite boy groups of the year, as they’ve shown us more of their craft and their incredible music and charisma. They’re here to stay, and they will be loudly and confidently proud of how much they’ve worked to create their style. As they keep it fresh with every release, we proudly say that DUH! is one of our favorite records of the year!
DUH! is a mini-album that focuses more on the old-school hip hop style, but it also adds new genres to their iconic discography, like afrobeats and hyperpop tunes. These six tracks give us verses that leave us speechless, as well as a massive boost of energy and confidence! All of the songs from this record are playful and fun, reminding us that P1Harmony never plays about exploring new sounds and new dance moves to make their discography the most memorable of them all. This comeback is a breath of fresh air in K-Pop; they’re the only ones that can make such incredible music like this!
THP’s Song Picks: Pretty Boy,’ ‘DUH!,’ and ‘Work’
HUNTER – Key
Key’s HUNTER crashes in like a neon-soaked thriller; bold, stylish, and completely unafraid to push boundaries. From the pounding, bass-heavy swagger of the title track ‘HUNTER’ to the ‘90s-groove bounce of ‘Infatuation’ (ft. Eunho of PLAVE), the album shows off Key’s fearless flair for blending pop-house, R&B, and experimental electronics into something fresh and electrifying.
Tracks like ‘Picture Frame’ deliver dreamy synth-house that blurs the line between reality and fantasy, while the dance-floor-ready ‘GLAM’ and the edgy, off-kilter ‘Want Another’ prove Key still lives for the unexpected. And then there’s ‘Lavender Love,’ like a calm sunrise after the storm of beats. HUNTER doesn’t just revisit familiar styles; it reinvents them, crafting a sleek, cohesive sonic universe where every track stands on its own and somehow clicks together effortlessly. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks: Hunter,’ ‘Strange,’ and ‘GLAM’
Color Outside The Lines – CORTIS
When we talk about our favorite K-Pop debuts of the year, we must talk about CORTIS. They’ve already taken the world by storm with Color Outside The Lines! CORTIS’ message is to break free from the standards with their passion for music and their vibrant fun. We felt that they would be superstars the moment we pressed play on ‘GO!’ and ‘FaSHioN!’ The group is full on creatives that want to show the world how K-Pop can mix with other genres in a modern and hip way. CORTIS wanted to showcase their personalities as much as they could with this debut, and thanks to that, they’ve created great, catchy tunes that have added a new soundtrack to the K-Pop genre this year.
We’ve never seen a debut catching so much praise and attention! Plus, all the members have collaborated in the creation of this debut in some shape or form. Every beat, lyric, dance move, and vibe from Color Outside The Lines includes their personal artistry. We feel like CORTIS is such a refreshing group! We’re so glad to be experiencing this new take on K-Pop with them. It’s been a while since we’ve heard such a perfect debut, and we can’t wait to see what they do in 2026 and beyond! – María Solano
THP’s Song Picks: ‘FaSHioN,’ ‘GO!,’ and ‘JoyRide’
And that’s your lot! What are your thoughts on our top 50 albums for 2025? Did you see your faves on this list? Let us know over on Twitter @TheHoneyPOP! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.
And if you want more music in your life, you’ve come to the right place…
2025 was truly the best year in pop music we’ve had in a while! It seems like artists are simply locking back into what makes a true pop song and mastering that art. Narrowing this list down to simply 25 songs was quite the challenge, but we think this list is the best of the best throughout all facets of pop music! From Olivia Dean and Chappell Roan to Greyson Chance and so many more, let’s jump in!
Taylor Swift – ‘The Fate of Ophelia’
There is no way to talk about the great pop resurgence of 2025 without highlighting The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift. For us, the entire album is full of examples of a true-to-form pop song, but we had to choose to highlight ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ due to it being inescapable since its release. This song is pure ear candy, and will get stuck in your head for hours even after just hearing a few seconds.
Olivia Dean – ‘Man I Need’
Olivia Dean is taking the pop music world by storm with ‘Man I Need,’ and to us that makes perfect sense. In anyone else’s discography, ‘Man I Need’ would be an easy career highlight, and yet, it’s one of many songs on Olivia’s most recent album, The Art of Loving, that blew us away upon the first listen and could have easily taken this spot.
Sabrina Carpenter – ‘House Tour’
Man’s Best Friend is stacked top to bottom with pop gold, but after listening back through the album, ‘House Tour’ had to be our choice! Everything from that infectious chorus to the “my house is on pretty girl avenue” line made this one of those songs that will soundtrack nights out for us through the foreseeable future.
Jonas Brothers – ‘Love Me To Heaven’
The Jonas Brothers have been experts at the pop music game since Nick first uttered the words ‘red dress’ back in 2008, so it’s no surprise to us that they are only getting better and better 17 years later. Their newest record, Greetings From Your Hometown, had an obvious stand-out to us the first time we listened, and that was ‘Love Me To Heaven.’
Audrey Hobert – ‘Phoebe’
Who’s The Clown?by Audrey Hobert was truly on an endless loop here at THP! Upon first listen, it was automatically clear that we were witnessing the artistic birth of someone who had a crystal clear understanding of how to bring themselves through in the music, be specific while staying relatable, and develop a sound that was particularly hers. We could have easily put any song from the album here, but ‘Phoebe’ is a forever favorite of ours!
Greyson Chance – ‘Waiting Outside The Lines ‘25’
No, we are not trying to transport you back to 2011, but there is so much beauty in taking a certified nostalgia-packed hit and reimagining it with years of life lived and heightened vocal ability to back it up. We can’t help but have a permanent smile on our face listening to this track and diving into Greyson’s current catalog (which everyone should do themselves the favor of doing)!
Jensen McRae – ‘Novelty’
If you asked us what album impacted us the most this year, one of the easiest answers would be I Don’t Know How But They Found Me!Anyone who has dived into Jensen’s discography knows what a savant she is. Her relationship to her pen is one of one, and this album may be the best example of that in her discography so far. ‘Novelty’ is the song that immediately jumps out at us as a must-listen.
Lady Gaga – ‘How Bad Do U Want Me’
Lady Gaga is synonymous with pop music at this point. She has always had the skill on lock, and in many ways, has influenced so much of what the modern genre looks like. MAYHEM was a true return to form for Lady Gaga, and showed that her knowledge and talent with the pop music world has never faltered. ‘How Bad Do U Want Me’ is an instant smash and is still on repeat.
5 Seconds of Summer – ‘NOT OK’
We will forever preach our love for 5 Seconds of Summer and how they get better with every release! (If you didn’t know, this band is literally why THP exists!) EVERYONE’S A STARcame out just over a month ago and is the band’s most ambitious, larger-than-life project yet. But of course, every element was nailed perfectly. Each of the guys has so many standout moments, but there are even more moments when it is so clear why they continue to make music together: everything flows seamlessly.
Sadie Jean – ‘She’s Dating My Boyfriend’
Sadie Jean is the exact singer-songwriter your playlist is in need of, and we had to highlight a track off her debut album, Early Twenties Torture! Every song on this record feels like Sadie had a insider’s look at our deepest thoughts and struggles, was able to turn them poetic, and then put them to music. That skill of relatability is rare. ‘She’s Dating My Boyfriend’ is our favorite example of that peek inside our minds.
Laufey – ‘Lover Girl’
Laufey has seamlessly blended the worlds of pop and jazz music and made a fusion that leaves us regularly at a loss for words. A Matter of Time is Laufey’s most recent album. And upon our first listen, it was clear that this is a generational album, one of those records where anyone who gives it a chance will fall in love with it. ‘Lover Girl’ is our favorite song off the record, so we had to highlight it!
Amber Mark – ‘Let Me Love You’
Amber Mark is the pop star you’ve been looking to add to your playlists! If you’re a fan of artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Dean, Amber’s album, Pretty Idea, and specifically our favorite track, ‘Let Me Love You,’ is going to be right up your alley! We are predicting that 2026 is going to be a huge year for Amber! And with music of this quality, it makes complete sense!
Justin Bieber – ‘Yukon’
‘Yukon’ was one of our most-streamed songs of the year; it’s that serious to us! SWAG, for us, felt like Justin coming back into his own, making the music that feels true to form. With ‘Yukon,’ that infectious chorus we’ve come to know and love from Justin Bieber is the shining star, which definitely adds to why we are constantly playing this track on a loop.
Lydia Night – ‘The Bomb’
You may know Lydia Night from her time with the band The Regrettes, but trust us when we say she has turned into a full-blown solo pop star. Lydia released her debut album, Parody of Pleasure, back in August, and all thirteen songs are expertly crafted! ‘The Bomb’ has been a standout since we first dove into this album. The song is playful and reminiscent of early 2000s pop.
Role Model – ‘Sally, When The Wine Runs Out’
Obviously, ‘Sally, When The Wine Runs Out’ has taken the world by storm this year, so there was no way we weren’t going to give Role Model his flowers. We haven’t heard a chorus quite as infectious as ‘Sally, When The Wine Runs Out’ in quite a long time. It’s impossible not be in an instant good mood when it hits.
Myles Smith – ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’
If you were as obsessed with Myles Smith’s ‘Stargazing’ as we were, then ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ is the perfect addition to your playlists! Myles is someone who you continue to find new things about his artistry to dig into with each listen.
Zara Larsson is a pop star in the truest sense of the word. Her entire album, Midnight Sun, is a pop masterclass, in which she’s the only person equipped to teach. When we first heard the title track ‘Midnight Sun,’ we knew that this was a whole new ball game in terms of pop music, and that we would take every opportunity to praise what Zara is doing with her artistry.
HAIM – ‘Relationships’
This song is pure ear candy and truly a discography highlight from one of our favorite trios! The chorus has serotonin woven into every line and lyric. And it makes us want to be out at night in the city with friends, dancing to every word. Their most recent album, i quit, is chock-full of tracks where you will see these themes.
Conan Gray – ‘Vodka Cranberry’
Conan Gray was born to make the exact music he’s making right now. He releases such infectious pop tracks with lyrics that both feel true to self for Conan and still connect deeply with his audience. ‘Vodka Cranberry’ blew up this year, and to us, it only makes perfect sense. This is a solidified hit.
Tate McRae – ‘Sports Car’
If you didn’t know, Tate McRae is a name that we have been screaming from the rooftops since we got to interview her years ago (which you can read here!). Tate blends musicality with dance seamlessly to draw people into who she is as a musician. ‘Sports Car’ and its visual components showcase exactly why Tate has quickly become a household name.
Avery Cochrane – ‘Shapeshifting On A Saturday Night’
Hailing from Seattle, Avery Cohrane is bound to be the name you can’t escape this next year in pop music! This year, she released her track, ‘Shapeshifting on a Saturday Night,’ and blew us away with the established pop sound she was crafting. If you’re a fan of artists like Chappell Roan or Olivia Rodrigo, we think you will love Avery!
Addison Rae – ‘Headphones On’
It’s no secret that Addison Rae has had a massive year. From the success of ‘Diet Pepsi’ and her tour to her debut album, Addison, everything about her career so far has been the beginning of a pop star who will be talked about and celebrated for years to come. For Addison, pop is a true work of performance art, following in the footsteps of the likes of Britney Spears. ‘Headphones On’ off her debut album summarizes everything we love most about Addison as an artist.
Reneé Rapp – ‘I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone’
We yell the chorus to ‘I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone’ at truly astronomical levels. Everything about this track resonates with us. Something that Reneé Rapp never fails to do is draw the listener in and weave her story in a way that feels relatable to others. On top of the lyrical content of the song, Reneé’s vocals are otherworldly here.
Demi Lovato – ‘Joshua Tree’
The 2025 version of Demi Lovato is the only artist who could craft an album like It’s Not That Deep. This record is a amalgamation of someone who has gone through it all. Someone who has experienced hardships and heartache and is in the complete opposite space now. And a lot of it is backtracked with songs you want to be in the club dancing to. That’s the duality of pop and of Demi, and it’s beautiful. To us, ‘Joshua Tree’ best represents the album as a whole.
Chappell Roan – ‘The Subway’
Ending our best 2025 pop songs with one that is still inescapable like ‘The Subway’ only felt right. Chappell Roan is a once-in-a-lifetime artist. She creates with such intention and really takes her time with each project, which comes through in the music. ‘The Subway’ will be looked at years from now as one of the great songs of the decade.
We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite pop song of 2025? Is it something off the new Taylor Swift album? Maybe a Conan Gray song? Or an Olivia Dean song? Let us know by commenting below or by tweeting @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!
Move over “67,” the real word of the year is “swag.”
No one thought the year 2025 would have Justin Bieber’s name written all over it. As long-time Justin Bieber fans, we thought it would be a few more years until we heard from our ‘Boyfriend’ again. Just imagine our surprise when we had over 40 new songs in just the span of a few months. With the surprise release of SWAG and SWAG II this year, Justin Bieber truly proved he’s “standing on business” now more than ever.
“Swag, Swag, Swag, On You”
Chillin’ by the fire while we eatin’ fondue. Bieber Fever never truly left our system, and 2025 brought it back full force. There’s no talking about this year’s most successful albums without talking about SWAG. We knew Justin was cooking up some exciting new music for us when he started sprinkling posts of himself in the studio with collaborator Eddie Benjamin throughout his Instagram page. Obviously, fans were overjoyed, but we really didn’t know when the new music was dropping. It could be 2025, or it could be 2027. Justin is known for teasing his fans and the media, so it really was anyone’s guess. One morning, we woke up, and black posters and billboards all over the world sported the word “swag,” and we knew then that new music was on its way!
The next morning, SWAG was on our Spotify pages, and we immediately hit play. All that to say, SWAG was one of our favorite releases of the year! Just a few months later, Justin made the most unexpected announcement. SWAG had a bubblegum pink sister album, SWAG II, and it was dropping just a few months later. Could this year get any better!?
Justin Is Standing On Business
With SWAG II being one of our top albums on Spotify Wrapped this year, we can confidently say that Justin Bieber dominated 2025. This year, Justin really stepped into his R&B sound, masterfully defining the genre on hit songs like ‘YUKON,’ ‘WALKING AWAY,’ and ‘DAISIES.’ He even gave us a new all-time favorite song in the melodic and emotional ‘DEVOTION.’
Justin masterfully turned this year on its head and claimed it as his own. From iconic, and admittedly hilarious, paparazzi run-ins in public (at the beach, mind you) to showcasing his love for his growing family, we’re so glad we get to be a part of his success in 2025.
Although some fans had little expectations for Justin Bieber this year, he clearly proved everyone wrong. As the year closes out, we have a lot of high expectations for Justin in 2026. We are hoping to expect even more Twitch livestreams and livestream concerts as well as new products from his fashion and lifestyle brand, SKYLRK. We’ve got those slippers on our Christmas wish-lists already, and if anyone can turn us into Twitch users, it’s Justin Bieber.
But, most excitingly, Justin is headlining Coachella next year! We haven’t seen Justin perform live since the Justice Tour, so we’re already counting down the days until he’s on that stage in the desert. You can probably find us on the barricade, screaming and crying to every word. Even after Coachella, we’re crossing our fingers that Justin will head out on his own solo world tour. He’s mentioned a few times that he’s ready to do a handful of live performances again, and even if we have to travel across the world, we will be there to support him.
Did you listen to SWAG and SWAG II as much as we did this year? Are you excited for what 2026 has in store for Justin Bieber? Let us know by buzzing with us in the comments below or by finding us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
Searching for more content about the best new music? See what we’ve got!
Justin Bieber offered a helping hand to a stranded man after his car broke down and gave him the “best prayer” of his life.
In a now-viral video, a man who goes by the name Buku on social media shared a moment he was stuck on the side of the road, recording himself venting about his struggles, before Bieber stopped to check on him.
“Are you Justin Bieber?” Buku asked in the TikTok video before the pop star responded, “Yeah, what’s up, bro? Justin.”
Justin Bieber stopped to help a man stranded on the side of the road.(DUTCH/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Before Bieber made his appearance, the man had been explaining how life had been going for him, telling the camera, “The move to the big city, trying to make it like everybody else. No friends.”
He’d captioned his video, “When your car breaks down…. And you’ve been trying so hard in life 😩 It’s just tough.”
He showed a quick shot of another car, then said, “I could be tripping, but I think Justin Bieber just stopped to help me. But I don’t know.”
WATCH: JUSTIN BIEBER HELPS STRANDED MAN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, OFFERS PRAYER
After confirming that it was Bieber, the singer appeared in the clip for a moment, giving the man a handshake and a hug.
“I love you, bro,” Buku said, and Bieber replied, “I love you, too.”
“What happened?” Bieber asked. “Do you really want to know?” Buku replied.
When Bieber said that he did, Buku admitted that his life had been “f—ed,” then stopped recording.
Justin Bieber prayed for the man before leaving.(Gotham/GC Images)
After speaking with Bieber, Buku started filming himself again, saying, “My life is crazy. Justin Bieber gives me the best prayer I’ve probably ever had in my life.”
The video has garnered over 2 million likes on TikTok in the days it’s been posted. Thousands of comments have been made, praising Bieber for helping Buku.
Listen here. The 2026 Grammy nominations were announced Friday morning, marking honors for artists such as Lady Gaga—who surpassed her own nomination record this year by getting seven, including album of the year. Super Bowl 2026 halftime performerBad Bunny did well, scoring six of his own; so did last year’s headliner, Kendrick Lamar, who scooped up nine. Sabrina Carpenter is standing tall with a half-dozen nods, including for album, record, and song of the year—all three of the night’s biggest awards.
Sure, it’s an honor just to be nominated. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have strong opinions about those nominations, right?
Vanity Fair’s staff of cultural experts erupted with opinions while taking in the nods this morning: There was jubilation for Addison Rae’s best new artist nod, and a raised eyebrow at the total exclusion of Lorde from the list. There was also confusion: what exactly is the difference between a contemporary country album and a traditional country album? And while we love Doechii’s “Anxiety,” doesn’t that song feel like it’s been around for tens of years—how is it still eligible for Grammys?
No, we’re not inviting you into our Slack channel—members only! But below, find the VF staff’s hot (and correct) takes on the biggest snubs and surprises of the 2026 Grammy nominations.
SNUB: Lorde Gets Shut Out
Lorde is hardly a Grammy virgin, having won two awards for her debut song “Royals”. Since then, she’s had a complicated relationship with the Recording Academy. Her second album, Melodrama, was nominated for album of the year, but she was not asked to perform solo come Grammy night. Fans noticed, and that decision was swept up in the online discourse about how the Recording Academy treats female artists. Since then, Lorde has struggled to get recognition from the group. Her most recent album, Virgin, was seen as a return to form—and while it didn’t produce major hits like “Royals,” it felt in the same vein as Melodrama, an album with a loyal and dedicated fanbase that went on to become very influential in pop music. Sadly, Grammy voters weren’t feeling it for Lorde. She didn’t receive one nomination this morning, not even in the smaller categories. —John Ross
SURPRISE: Addison Rae Is in for Best New Artist
“Fame is a Gun,” and Addison Rae has it pointed at the best new artist category. Rae fell on, and then off, every prediction list for this award—but when the announcement was finally made, she clinched the nomination as pop music fans rejoiced. Though her album, Addison, was widely praised by critics, many thought the Grammy voters wouldn’t understand her brand of pop, and the many nods she makes to artists like Lana Del Rey and Britney Spears. Her origin story as a TikTok star, also didn’t help. But it turns out voters liked what she was doing. During the voting period, Rae happened to be on tour; she delivered solid live performances on The Tonight Show and at the Grammy museum, which could have put her over the top. Now please put your headphones on, and listen to one of the best pop albums of the year if you haven’t already. —JR
SNUB: Elton John & Brandi Carlile’s “Who Believes in Angels?” in Album of the Year
An album that was made in a factory for Grammy voters was surprisingly snubbed this morning—proof, perhaps, that as the Recording Academy expands its membership, some of these typical shoo-ins are going by the wayside. Elton John has never won album of the year, despite being nominated for the category three times, and the sentiment that he was owed another chance is why many expected his album with Brandi Carlile to be nominated. But this was a very crowded year in music, and unfortunately for Elton, the album never really took off. —JR
SNUB: “DAISIES” Was Not “Clocking” to Voters
Despite originating what Alex Warren deniers would call the song of the summer with “Daisies,” Justin Bieber got little love in the Grammys’ big three categories. His surprise R&B album SWAG came on the heels of Bieber’s infamous “standing on business” paparazzi video, offering prodigious instrumentation and an ode to the Rhode lip-gloss-carrier iPhone case—the makings of a great album. And though it was evidently great enough for album of the year, Bieber was blanked in record and song of the year. Maybe that snub is attributable to the subsequent release of his spotty (and shockingly long) SWAG II—evidence that sequels sometimes make things worse. —Abigail Sylvor Greenberg
SURPRISE: Harlequin Squeaks into Best Traditional Pop Album
Though it’s no surprise that Mayhem received its flowers on Grammy nomination day, I was a little worried that Gaga’s other most recent album would be left in the shadows of its highly panned companion film, Joker: Folie á Deux. The vocal performances on Harlequin are truly some of Gaga’s best work—including “Happy Mistake,” which I believe is one of her best songs to date. Now to rewatch her performance of “Happy Mistake” on Jimmy Kimmel to celebrate. —Brandon Leung
SNUB: Jade in Best New Artist
As a Mixer, I have been standing by this woman for 13 years—but the lack of recognition from this side of the pond has not gotten any easier to stomach. X Factor and Little Mix alum Jade Thirwall had one of the most impressive debuts I’ve seen in years: “Angel of My Dreams” is ambitious and unique.“Fantasy,” “Plastic Box,” “Midnight Cowboy,” “Self Sabotage,” “Lip Service”—the girl didn’t let us breathe! I have a huge respect for artists who fearlessly surrender themselves to their creativity and vision, and Jade is just that. Too bad the Grammys didn’t agree —BL
SURPRISE: KATSEYE Gets a “Gnarly” Best New Artist Nod
Demon hunters aren’t the only rising stars in the K-pop space. KATSEYE, the K-pop girl group whose formation was captured on the Netflix reality competition series Pop Star Academy, scored a surprise nomination for best new artist this year. Last summer, the world watched as Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Yoonchae, Daniela Avanzini, Megan Skiendiel, and Sophia Laforteza survived a rigorous multi-year audition process before being hand-selected to form the world’s first global K-Pop group. Since their debut, KATSEYE has been steadily rising, with a viral dance for their first single “Touch” taking TikTok by storm and Gap shrewdly hiring the diverse girl group to pose for a jean ad shortly after Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle debacle. The momentum was clear when KATSEYE pulled off an unexpected win for Push Performance of the Year (whatever that is) at the VMAs in 2025. Still, a best new artist Grammy nod didn’t seem like a sure bet, given their humble reality television beginnings and the fact that other fresh-faced solo pop acts like Olivia Dean and Addison Rae seemed to dominate the discourse this year. But through a combination of talent, hard work, and certified bops, KATSEYE was able to convince the music industry to take them seriously. That’s “Gnarly.” — Chris Murphy
SURPRISE: PinkPantheress Breaks Through
Once, it was just her and her permanently shouldered purse against the world. Now PinkPantheress has finally scored her first-ever Grammy nominations: Illegal is up for best dance pop recording, and her mixtape Fancy That was nominated for best dance/electronic album. It’s a huge day for both her and Stateside addicts—her track, now remixed with Zara Larsson (also a long overdue nomination this round), lands just as both artists are catching a fresh lease on U.S. recognition and TikTok obsession. DJ Joe, The Dare to PinkPanthress’s Charli XCX—or maybe the tartan-clad Ryan Evans to her Sharpay, whatever your prerogative—also deserves credit for the Fancy That era that makes her latest work impossible to ignore. (Somehow, best new artist still passed her by—but we’ll take a win when we get one.) —Wengel Gemu
SNUB: A Big X for BigXThaPlug
In a lineage of outlaw country artists that includes Lil Nas X (2020), Jelly Roll (2024), and Shaboozey (2025), the Academy seemed primed to recognize yet another crossover country act this year: BigXThaPlug, the Texas rapper whose 2025 album I Hope You’re Happy won hearts, minds, and a place on the Billboard country charts. Indeed, the newly created best contemporary country album prize (which I’m inclined to nickname the Cowboy Carter Memorial Award) seemed designed with BigX in mind. But perhaps BigX proved a bridge too far for the Nashville voting block, because he didn’t make it onto the list. BigX also appeared on many best new artist prediction lists—but a roster of TikTok hitmakers (Olivia Dean, Lola Young) left no room for music’s favorite hip hop upstart turned Ella Langley collaborator. In fact, there was no room at all for rap or country in best new artist this year, and a total shutout of country in the show’s main prizes The Shaboozification of pop is over, it seems—at least for Grammy voters. —ASG
SNUB: Best New Artist Nominations Run Out For Role Model
Over the course of the last year, Role Model has convinced everyone from Charli xcx and Olivia Rodrigo to Natalie Portman and Kate Hudson to join him onstage while performing his viral, joy-infused hit, “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out.” But the extremely online singer/songwriter, whose name is actually Tucker Pillsbury, couldn’t charm his way into the highly sought after best new artist category this year. My guess is that the Recording Academy favored new kid on the rock block Sombr in place of Pillsbury’s more folk inspired pop-rock. Which is a huge bummer, considering Pillsbury—who released his first EP in 2017—really came into his own with his heartfelt breakup album Kansas Anymore, after making the risky leap from Soundcloud rapper to the mainstream. Don’t cry for Role Model: He has a role in Lena Dunham‘s upcoming rom-com, and a focus firmly on his next album. As he told Vanity Fair last year on the eve of his album release, “I’m happy with the music I’ve made and where my career is at. I feel like this is my happy ending—finally.” That said, I will be keeping an eye on Pillsbury’s cheeky “enemies list” on Instagram—because the Recording Academy might have just earned itself a spot on it. —Daniela Tijerina
SNUB: No Flipping Nominations for Benson Boone
The ubiquity of a pop song does not always translate into a Grammy nomination, much to my surprise, specifically with the case of Benson Boone’s “Mystical Magical.” We, as a people, have been inundated with this record on almost every platform possible, from Midwestern GRWMs and spoofs on TikTok to Spotify’s suspicious habit of repeatedly queuing this song after Radiohead. Because of this virtual inescapability, I had assumed Boone’s song would be nominated for either song or record of the year. I am happy to be wrong, though I fear the era of “moonbeam ice cream” is not yet over: there is still a chance that the Recording Academy could wheel out Benson Boone for a surprise performance at the Grammys, where he backflips continuously to this song. My guess is that I was not the only one for whom this ice cream flavor has run dry. —Wisdom Iheanyichukwu
SURPRISE: What Does “Traditional” and “Contemporary” Country Even Mean?
Over the last few years, country music’s long-running war between cowboys and city slickers reached new levels of intensity, as Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan became megastars while Beyoncé and Post Malone entered the genre. This divide led to some upsets during awards ceremonies, and even Beyoncé was memorably surprised when she took home the country trophy last year. For the 2026 Grammys, a new split between “traditional country” and “contemporary country” was meant to address some hurt feelings—but though they may have made sense in theory, the biggest surprise is that these new categories are incredibly arbitrary in practice.
Wallen and Bryan both declined to submit their most recent albums for Grammy eligibility, and no further pop stars made an entry into the genre. So the divide is mainly one of vibes. Willie Nelson and his son Lukas Nelson are both on the traditional side. So is their friend and acolyte Margo Price. Considering their attitudes towards major-label Nashville, that all makes sense. Kelsea Ballerini and Eric Church wound up in a logical place on the contemporary side, too. But it’s hard to see how Tyler Childers is considered contemporary when similarly twangy artists Zach Top and Charley Crockett are not. And every Miranda Lambert album focuses on blowing up the binary between traditional and pop country, so either outcome wouldn’t feel quite right for her. In the end, there’s not a bad album in this bunch—even Jelly Roll’s occasionally baffling country-rap extravaganza Beautifully Broken is worth a listen—so I suppose I can be satisfied knowing that there will be two big country moments on stage during this February’s show. —Erin Vanderhoof
SURPRISE: Knocking on EGOT’s Door
How about that: Timothée Chalamet just earned his first Grammy nomination for the music of A Complete Unknown. The actor’s rise to the Grammys has been fated ever since that viral “Statistics” video where he first showcased his musical prowess. As a big fan of Bob Dylan, I was very excited for the Dylan Disease (no one calls it that) to take over a new generation thanks to Chalamet’s amazing portrayal of him in the film. Now I implore the Recording Academy, on behalf of all fans of Muad’Dib, to do what the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has failed to do and make sure Chalamet does not go home empty-handed that night. When Vogue recently asked if Chalamet would ever return to television, he responded with a simple “No.” That said, an EGOT could still be in his future if Emmy voters agree to revisit his 2012 stint in Homeland and reward him with a retroactive award. (They do that, right?) —WI
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Wengel Gemu, Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Brandon Leung, Chris Murphy, John Ross, Abigail Sylvor Greenberg, Daniela Tijerina, Erin Vanderhoof, Kase Wickman
Earlier this week, Coachella announced the lineup for the 25th iteration of the annual California music festival, with Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G set to be the headliners. It will take place over two weekends, from April 10-12 and one week later, on the 17-19…
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival dropped their 2026 Lineup on Monday, months before their usual schedule
CoachellaCredit: Courtesy of Coachella / Calder Wilson
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is pulling out all the stops for its 25th anniversary, starting with unveiling its 2026 lineup months earlier than usual. On Monday, September 15, organizers surprised fans with the full roster of artists for the double-weekend celebration in Indio, California, announcing on Instagram: “Hard launch. Passes on sale Friday, September 19 at 11 a.m. PT. Register now for access.”
Traditionally, Coachella reveals its lineup in January, with tickets following shortly after. This year, however, passes go on sale Friday, September 19, giving fans extra time to secure their spots for the April 10–12 and April 17–19 weekends at the iconic Empire Polo Club.
The 2026 edition is being hailed as the most indie-forward lineup since the pandemic, featuring acts like The Strokes, Ethel Cain, Blood Orange, and Foster the People as a possible nod to the festival’s roots in 1999.
Headlining the milestone year are three global superstars. Sabrina Carpenter kicks things off on Friday, marking her return to Coachella after a breakout debut in 2024. She released her seventh studio album at the end of August, Man’s Best Friend, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, earning the biggest female debut of the year.
Saturday, Justin Bieber is scheduled to deliver his first full-length Coachella set fresh off the release of his new album Swag. The stacked day-two lineup also boasts The Strokes, Giveon, Addison Rae, Sombr, Royal Otis, PinkPantheress, and more.
Closing out the festival on Sunday is Colombian powerhouse Karol G, returning after her electric 2022 performance that featured Becky G and J Balvin. This time, she’ll be headlining, followed by an eclectic mix of artists including Young Thug, Kaskade, Laufey, Iggy Pop, and FKA Twigs.
Megan Cartwright is Newsweek’s Deputy Entertainment Editor, based in London, U.K. Her focus is on U.S. pop culture and entertainment news stories. Megan joined Newsweek in 2022 from New York where she was the Senior Editor for In Touch, Life & Style and Closer magazines and had previously interned at MTV, Cosmopolitan and InStyle. She is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University. Languages: English.
You can get in touch with Megan by emailing m.cartwright@newsweek.com.
Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G and Anyma are set to headline the festival, which will take place in Indio, California on April 10 to 12 and 17 to 19. Other artists include: Teddy Swims, Addison Rae, FKA twigs, Major Lazer, Labrinth, Young Thug, Iggy Pop, Sexyy Red and many more.
(L) Justin Bieber performs with Daniel Caesar during the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 15, 2022 in Indio, California. (R) Sabrina Carpenter performs during the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts… (L) Justin Bieber performs with Daniel Caesar during the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 15, 2022 in Indio, California. (R) Sabrina Carpenter performs during the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2024 in Indio, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella; Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Coachella
“Hard launch. Passes on sale Friday, September 19 at 11am PT,” the announcement posted to Coachella’s official Instagram account read. “Register now for access.”
Coachella 2026 has announced the lineup of artists performing at the upcoming year’s event in April. Among the tens of artists participating, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Karol G, and Anyma have been announced as the headliners for the show. All have previously performed at the music festival; however, this time, they’ll be returning as headliners, marking a significant moment in their careers.
Coachella 2026 brings pop, rock, EDM, alternative music, and much more for another spin around the desert Across the span of two weekends, thousands of music fans are expected to head to the Colorado Desert, where the next edition of the famed Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will take place from Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 19, 2026. Returning to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Coachella Valley, the festival is likely to attract a massive footfall thanks to the impressive lineup of artists.
Among the most awaited are Justin Bieber, who recently dropped not one but two surprise albums, SWAG and SWAG II. On the other hand, Sabrina Carpenter has had an immensely successful couple of years thanks to the fame of her recent releases and tour, which have taken over music charts and cities around the world. Karol G and Anyma (multimedia project) are expected to present some banger gigs following their own popularity, observing a boost in recent days.
Other notable performers in the upcoming edition include Young Thug, Addison Rae, FKA Twigs, BIGBANG, KATSEYE, SHINee’s Taemin, BINI, Sombr, Swae Lee, Iggy Pop, Major Lazer, Green Velvet, PinkPantheress, Central Cee, Armand Van Buuren x Adam Beyer, Giveon, Labrinth, Dijon, and many more, bringing forth another exciting list.
Check out the full performing lineup for 2026 Coachella:
Last year, Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone, as well as Travis Scott, headlined the 2025 Coachella music festival.
All of the headliners have graced the Coachella stage in the past. Carpenter performed at last year’s festival, while Karol G brought out Becky G and J Balvin during her 2022 appearance and Bieber popped up as a guest at four separate Coachellas.
Anyma, who made a special guest appearance earlier this year during Yeat’s set and performed in 2024, is slated for a similar slot to last year’s Travis Scott performance, which was billed as a “Designs the Desert” experience. Anyma, the multimedia project from Matteo Milleri, recently became the first electronic artist to stage a residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere, which he followed with the release of his album “The End of Genesys.”
Additional performers include Disclosure, Katseye, Ethel Cain, the XX, the Strokes, Addison Rae, Young Thug, FKA Twigs, Clipse, Sombr, David Byrne, Interpol, Laufey, Kaskade, Wet Leg, Iggy Pop, Major Lazer, Green Velvet, PinkPantheress, Moby, Central Cee, Lykke Li, Royel Otis, Boys Noize, Davido, Duke Dumont, Armand Van Buuren, Suicidal Tendencies, Giveon, Labrinth, Dijon, Groove Armada, Little Simz, the Rapture, Oklou, Royksopp and many more.
Coachella 2025 featured headlining performances from Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone, as well as Travis Scott. Artists including Missy Elliott, Charli xcx, Benson Boone, Megan Thee Stallion and more descended upon the desert for both weekends, which took place on April 11-13 and April 18-20.
Justin Bieber did something no one saw coming. He released a second rendition of his latest album, SWAG, with only a 12-hour notice. SWAG II dropped at midnight on September 5, 2025, with a baby pink album cover and 23 new songs that fit inside the same vein as SWAG, released on July 11, 2025. This new double-album project continues to prove that Justin Bieber’s greatness lies less inside the pop genre and more heavily in the R&B genre (although it’s undeniable he’s made some of the best pop music of the 2010s).
What Justin does best is pour his heart and pen into love songs with an R&B groove to back it. However, what most people tend to forget is that this is not something new for Justin. He’s always made it obvious he’s wanted to experiment and go full force in the genre that is hard to master. His 2020 project, Changes, and later his 2021 project Justice, were his first attempts at really proving this point to the world. Songs like ‘Confirmation’ and ‘2 Much’ could easily fit like a missing puzzle piece on SWAG’s tracklist. If you hit rewind even further, it could easily be argued that SWAG is an adult extension of Purpose, one of Justin’s most beloved albums released in 2015. Purpose was one of the first times Justin’s faith was vulnerably laid out in song, which is one of the most prominent themes in SWAG and SWAG II. More on that later.
It seems Justin Bieber has finally found his footing in the studio after 4 years of releasing no new solo music, and fans can expect to hear, if Justin decides to grace us with even more new music in the future of his career, the SWAG-sound on most, if not all, of his future records. It’s where he’s comfortable and successful, so we can plan for him to stay in that pocket.
Themes & Structure
SWAG II expands on the themes presented to us in SWAG – faith, marriage, unity and peace, admiration, adoration, and personal growth. It’s clear Justin wants listeners to take the SWAG experience in full, so we recommend listening to both albums back to back if you have yet to hear them for the first time.
It’s also impossible to talk about SWAG and SWAG II without touching on the golden lines of holy admiration that run through each of the songs. SWAG II ends with ‘STORY OF GOD,’ a 7-minute devotion to God, detailing Justin’s version of his individualized faith. Read the entire story here. Even if you yourself are not a believer in any particular faith, it’s a beautiful listen that rounds out the album in a very raw way.
Many fans have quickly compared Justin’s “new” sound to that of Michael Jackson. This comparison is not much of a surprise, however. Throughout his career, even as a young teenager, Justin has vocally admired Michael Jackson’s work and person. He’s copied his signature sound and adlib structure many times, but it seems to really come through on SWAG II on songs like ‘EYE CANDY’ and ‘LYIN’.’ Regardless of fans’ opinions on this, Justin does it almost flawlessly, and it comes through as clear admiration, not copying a formula that is already successful. With the help of talented producers like Mk.gee, Dijon, and Eddie Benjamin, Justin is designing his own formula for R&B success, and arguably has been paving this formula since he was 15 years old.
Our Favorite Tracks
‘LOVE SONG’
‘MOTHER IN YOU’
‘WITCHYA’
‘DON’T WANNA’
‘BAD HONEY’
‘NEED IT’
‘DOTTED LINE’ is a standout track as well. One thing Justin Bieber is really good at is grabbing a mic and just going for it, regardless of the instruments in the room or how his voice decides to sound that day. His emotions and mature vocals are undoubtedly raw, and it doesn’t need to be cleaned up in production. Where most other artists would clean these raw vocals up later in the creative process, Justin keeps them in. You can hear every breath, every vocal wobble, and every other sound that’s in the background of wherever he’s recording. A “fire” comes through at the 35-second mark, presumably from someone else in the studio commenting on how they feel about the song. It’s these little details that make SWAG II so special for long-time fans. If you love this sound, you can also find it on its sister songs ‘DEVOTION’ and ‘GLORY VOICE MEMO’ on SWAG.
If you needed any reminder that Justin Bieber is one of music’s greats, SWAG II is it.
Image Source: Renell Medrano
How did you feel about SWAG II? Did you enjoy the songs on SWAG or SWAG II better? Let us know by buzzing with us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram!
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Never Say Never because Justin Bieber has surprised fans — again — by releasing his eighth studio album, Swag II, on Friday.
It’s a follow-up to his July release, when the Canadian musician released his seventh studio album, Swag, after he teased it on billboards and in social media posts. Bieber did the same rollout for Swag II.
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The 31-year-old pop star began teasing the artwork Thursday for his new album on Instagram and all across the globe with a baby pink background and the text “Swag II.”
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Bieber also shared an image of himself, his wife Hailey Bieber, and their infant son, Jack Blues Bieber.
The new album features two discs. Disc 1 is the new release, with 23 new songs, including Speed Demon, Better Man and I Think You’re Special, and guest appearances from Tems, Hurricane Chris, Lil B, Eddie Benjamin and Bakar.
The two-time Grammy Award-winning singer produced Swag II alongside Dijon, Carter Lang, Mike Will Made It, Buddy Ross, Daniel Chetrit, Mk.gee and Dylan Wiggins, among others.
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Disc 2 is his previously released album Swag, which explored themes of love, life and fatherhood across 21 tracks. Some of the strongest songs include Daisies, Bieber’s slow-burn alt-R&B performed atop lo-fi guitar; Go Baby, a celebration of his wife; and Devotion, which features rising R&B voice Dijon.
Justin Bieber drops ‘Swag,’ stuns fans with highly anticipated album
Bieber’s Swag features 21 songs and guest appearances from artists including Gunna, Sexxy Red, Cash Cobain, Druski, Dijon, Lil B, Eddie Benjamin and Marvin Winans.
Before Swag II and Swag, Bieber hadn’t released a new album since 2021’s Justice.
Bieber is best known for his R&B pop lyric tenor, demonstrated on the diamond-selling Baby, Sorry, and Stay with the Kid Laroi. At the beginning of his career and as a tween, Bieber began working with Usher and music manager Scooter Braun.
In 2023, Bieber sold the rights to his music — all six of his albums, including hits like Sorry and Baby — to Hipgnosis, a U.K.-based music investment company. The deal’s financial details were not disclosed, but Billboard Magazine reported that the sale was worth an estimated US$200 million.
Less than 24 hours after announcing the project, Justin Bieber has released “Swag II,” the follow-up to his surprise album that dropped with similarly little warning in July.
Bieber included 23 songs on the new record, with guest appearances from Tems, Lil B, Bakar, Hurricane Chris and Eddie Benjamin. The album arrived after its promised release time of midnight, appearing first on YouTube Music before hitting other streaming services. On Instagram, Bieber addressed the delays in a series of posts, stating, “I’m sorry for the wait their telling me any second” and “Me waiting with u, not baiting u not sure wut the fuckkyyy is going on clicking refreshhhhhh.”
“Swag II” was teased early Thursday morning with billboards popping up in London and banners appearing in West Hollywood, much like he had done with the grassroots advertising of the album’s predecessor. He confirmed the album’s imminent arrival on Instagram, stating that the record would drop at midnight.
Bieber has been posting photos from the studio over the past month or so, suggesting that he was hard at work on another project. He’d done the same with “Swag,” teasing that new music was potentially on the way. Hits Daily Double previously reported that “Swag” was a precursor to a second, more pop-oriented album expected to be released later this year. Presumably, “Swag II” is the record in question, serviced as an addendum to “Swag” and upping the total track count to 44 songs.
The first “Swag” clocked in at 21 tracks and featured guest appearances from Gunna, Sexyy Red, Druski, Dijon, Lil B, Cash Cobain, Eddie Benjamin and Marvin Winans. Bieber handled the production on “Swag” alongside contributions from Tobias Jesso Jr., Carter Lang, Dylan Wiggins, Daniel Caesar, mk.gee, Daniel Chetrit, Knox Fortune and more.
Upon release, “Swag” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and marked his biggest streaming week yet. “Daisies” also bowed at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, while “Yukon” peaked at No. 8 and “First Place” landed at No. 52.
