Culture

Weekly Wrapped: Best of the Nominees

Mary Walker, Staff Writer

November 18, 2025

Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” is a Record of the Year contender.

The long-anticipated 2026 Grammy nominations are finally here, and there were some surprises this year. There was no love for Benson Boone or Gracie Abrams, but it was a big year for Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish, who continue to dominate. Whether one is catching up on the nominees or curating one’s own Grammy-inspired playlist, here are five tracks to keep in rotation.

“DtMP”– Bad Bunny

The Puerto Rican powerhouse and three-time Grammy winner racks up six total nominations this year. “DtMP” has been on repeat since the announcement of his Super Bowl appearance, and it’s no surprise. The track is electrifying, witty and insanely catchy. Expect this record to get the attention it deserves.

“Manchild”– Sabrina Carpenter

Carpenter’s pop takeover shows no signs of slowing down. With six nominations and two past wins, she has cemented herself as one of pop’s sharpest storytellers. Record of the Year contender “Manchild” pairs her signature sass with sticky-sweet choruses that are nearly impossible to get out of one’s head. This one never gets old.

“MUTT”– Leon Thomas

Leon Thomas is a first-time nominee and absolute standout. “MUTT” blends velvet vocals with a raw, percussive edge that has put Thomas on everyone’s radar. Beyond its viral run on TikTok, the track marks him as a real contender in the R&B space.

“End of Summer”– Tame Impala

Kevin Parker’s jaw-dropping comeback faces stiff competition from Disclosure, Fred again.., KAYTRANADA and Skrillex, but “End of Summer” might be the dreamiest return we didn’t know we needed. While it’s tough to top his 2015 masterpiece Currents, this record comes close. It taps into a new era of Parker’s sound that feels timeless yet experimental.

“Everything is Peaceful Love”– Bon Iver

Bon Iver’s ethereal soundscapes earn two nominations this year, adding to his two previous wins. “Everything is Peaceful Love” is a masterpiece track off of what is arguably the best album in his discography. The rhythm and lyrics blend together like butter and are paired with classic Justin Vernon vocals.

Donate to The Villanovan

$465

$7500

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of The Villanovan with technological needs, training, and more.

About the Contributor

Lauren Armstrong, Associate Editor-in-Chief

Lauren Armstrong is a senior Public Service and Administration and Communication double major, concentrating in Journalism and minoring in Peace and Justice. She is in her first year as Associate Editor-in-Chief in 2025 after serving as Co-News Editor in 2024. Lauren’s passion for politics and on campus events has led her to cover a variety of stories since her freshman year. Lauren prides herself in her very detailed and color-coded Google Calendar, and when she is not running around campus between classes and a million meetings, she can be found listening to music, hanging out with friends or reading a new book.