Jhené Aiko announces first album in six years, ‘Westside Whimsy’
TheGrio...
The 20-track project arrives Sept. 11 with features from Kendrick Lamar, Tyga, Ab-Soul, OHMA and Larry June.
Jhené Aiko has set a release date for her first full studio album in six years. The “Westside Whimsy” album arrives Sept. 11, marking her first solo LP since 2020’s “Chilombo.”
Aiko confirmed the date on social media Tuesday, revealing that “Westside Whimsy” will arrive Friday. The cover art shows the singer in close-up against a teal background with crystal-like tears running down her face. The singer also revealed the full 20-song track listing, including features from Kendrick Lamar, Tyga, Ab-Soul, OHMA, and the song “Neighbors,” featuring alleged love interest Larry June.
Aiko had been quietly teasing the project throughout 2026. She first shared the title and artwork on her Instagram Stories in January, then used the same name for a limited-edition smoothie collaboration with Erewhon Market.
More clues arrived in April during a California wellness retreat hosted with Velocity Black. Aiko said the project was influenced by the music of the 1990s as well as West Coast car culture, surfing, beaches and road trips. She described California, where she was born and where much of her family still lives, as a major source of inspiration.
The new album follows “Chilombo,” which was released on March 6, 2020. The project debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, topped Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart and earned three Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Progressive R&B Album.
Since then, Aiko has released music through collaborations and side projects, including her recent appearance with Larry June on “California Dream.” But she has not released another full-length solo studio album.