Nick Jonas’ “Gut Punch” Is A Reminder To Stop Being So Hard On Yourself

Nick Jonas did not ease us into 2026. He went straight for the feelings.

“Gut Punch”, released January 1, 2026, is the first single off his upcoming album Sunday Best, out February 6, 2026, and it feels like a song you accidentally put on and then suddenly you’re staring at the wall thinking about your entire inner dialogue.

Artwork by Steven R. Gilmore

The song starts immediately with a soft piano and Nick’s voice sounding almost fragile. Like he’s letting a thought slip before he can overthink it.

I think my hair stopped growin', is that even a thing? Haven't lost any of it, but somethin' ain't the same Maybe it's a metaphor, is it even that deep?

It’s oddly specific in a way that makes it hit harder. The quiet anxieties. The subtle changes. That feeling of noticing something is different and immediately brushing it off because you don’t want to admit it might mean something. That last line, “is it even that deep?” feels like such a real moment of self dismissal.

Then the chorus comes in and the song completely switches gears.

The guitar eases in, the energy spikes, and Nick sounds like he’s snapping at himself more than singing to anyone else.

Hit me like a gut punch, I hurt my own feelings How did I get so good at being mean to myself?

It’s blunt. It’s frustrated. And it’s painfully relatable. That moment when you realize no one is being harder on you than you are. The title suddenly makes perfect sense.

And the production detail here matters. That little punch sound effect layered into the chorus? Absolute perfection. It’s quick, it’s sharp, and it makes the line feel physical, like the song is actually landing where it says it will.

Throughout “Gut Punch”, there’s this push and pull between softness and intensity. The verses feel inward and vulnerable, while the chorus lets everything spill out. It mirrors the way negative self talk works in real life. Quiet thoughts building until they turn loud.

Then the bridge hits and everything slows down.

Now, what would it be like if I just tried being nice To the person that I'm seeing in the mirror? If you find that inner child Haven't seen him for a while Let him know he's doing fine

It’s not dramatic. It’s not dressed up. It’s just honest. And honestly? That’s what makes it hurt the most. The idea of checking in with your younger self and offering reassurance instead of criticism feels simple, but it lands deep.

As an introduction to Sunday Best, “Gut Punch” feels less about perfection and more about honesty. Less about having everything figured out and more about admitting when you don’t.

It’s also worth noting what this song isn’t. “Gut Punch” isn’t chasing a radio hit or a big flashy moment. It doesn’t feel engineered for numbers or noise. It feels like Nick sitting with himself and letting us sit there too.

And honestly? We felt this one. We’ve all had moments where our own inner voice was harsher than anyone else’s, where we brushed off our feelings before giving them space, where being kind to ourselves felt harder than being critical. “Gut Punch” doesn’t offer a fix, but it does offer a pause. A reminder to check in and be a little gentler with the person in the mirror.

Sometimes the hardest thing isn’t fixing yourself.

It’s realizing you don’t need to be so cruel to begin with.