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Every summer, the music world asks the same question: which song will dominate playlists, radio airwaves, and our most unforgettable moments of the season? Looking back, the summer of 2024 brought us catchy hits like Chappell Roan’s energetic “Pink Pony Club,” the feel-good “Good Luck Babe,” Karol G’s heartfelt Latin hit “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” or Charli XCX’s viral sensation “Apple?” These tracks set a high bar with their distinctive vibes and widespread appeal.

As we step into summer 2025, one song is clearly standing out as the frontrunner: Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild.” Since its early June release, “Manchild” has surged to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and leads US streaming charts. The song is a fresh blend of pop, country, and disco influences, featuring clever lyrics and an irresistibly catchy chorus. Created spontaneously with producers Amy Allen and Jack Antonoff, it perfectly captures the bright energy of summer days and warm nights.

However, “Manchild” is also the lead single from Carpenter’s upcoming album Man’s Best Friend, set for release on August 29, 2025, which has sparked controversy. The album cover features Carpenter on all fours, with her hair being held by a faceless man. Critics argue that the cover perpetuates «the sexualization of women,» while others defend it as a satirical commentary on misogyny and the male gaze. Carpenter has denied any intentional reference to Lolita, emphasizing that she has never seen the film and that the imagery is meant to be ironic rather than literal. Despite the debate over the visuals, the single’s success shows that the public remains deeply engaged with her music, making “Manchild” the defining track of the summer.

Where’s Latin Music At?

Meanwhile, Latin music heavyweights Bad Bunny and Karol G have also made waves with their recent albums Debí Tirar Más Fotos and Tropicoqueta. Though several songs from these projects have charted well and are beloved by fans, none have yet managed to reach the level of the most mainstream English-language songs.

Bad Bunny’s sixth studio album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, released on January 5, 2025, has been a major success in the U.S., debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and marking his fourth chart-topping album in the country. The album earned 203,500 equivalent album units in its first week, driven largely by over 264 million on-demand streams. A subsequent vinyl release boosted sales dramatically, pushing the album back to the top spot.

Despite this overall success, currently only one track from the album, “EoO,” is present on the U.S. singles charts, highlighting the album’s strong performance as a whole but a more modest presence in individual track rankings. This achievement reinforces Benito’s prominent influence in the global music scene as one of the few artists to place a primarily Spanish-language album at the top of the Billboard 200.

Karol G’s latest album Tropicoqueta, released in June 2025, showcases her artistic growth through a blend of traditional Latin genres and collaborations with notable artists, but so far, none of its singles have entered the U.S. charts. While this might suggest a slower commercial impact compared to her previous hits, it could also be too early to tell—albums like this often build momentum over time, especially as listeners and radio catch on. Given Karol G’s strong fanbase and the album’s unique sound, it’s possible that a breakout single will emerge in the coming months to boost its chart presence.

Her highly anticipated collaboration with Feid “Verano Rosa” or one of the top songs from the album like “LATINA FOREVA” could be strong contenders to dominate the summer.

Unless a late breakout hit emerges, “Manchild” looks set to claim the crown as the official summer anthem of 2025 in the US. With its infectious rhythm, sharp songwriting, and Sabrina Carpenter’s magnetic presence, it’s no surprise this track is dominating the season’s soundtrack.