Jhene Aiko announces first album in six years just days before its release
Grammy-nominated artist Jhené Aiko is returning with a surprise 20-track album titled Westside Whimsy, her first full-length project since 2020's Chilombo.
Jhené Aiko is making her long-awaited return with a surprise new album, ending a hiatus that has lasted more than six years. The Grammy-nominated singer announced her fourth studio album, titled Westside Whimsy, on Tuesday, September 8, revealing that the project will arrive on Friday, September 11. The 20-track release follows a significant gap in Aiko's discography since her last full-length album, Chilombo, which arrived on March 6, 2020, through ArtClub International, ARTium Recordings, and Def Jam Recordings. That previous project debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 152,000 equivalent album units in its opening week, eventually achieving platinum status in January 2021 and earning three Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Progressive R&B Album, alongside a Best R&B Performance nod for "Lightning & Thunder" featuring John Legend.
Addressing the lengthy interval between major releases, Aiko opened up in the comments section of her social media announcement on Instagram.
Media additions
"You guys so much has happened in the last 6 years. I'm so excited and nervous to share this with you. It's like every time I tried to lock in, life knocked me on my ass. I'm so grateful that I was finally able to finish... love you."
Jhené Aiko, Recording Artist, via Instagram
The project's title and aesthetic have been visible to fans for months. Aiko first introduced the concept in January by sharing artwork and the title on her Instagram Stories, alongside an Erewhon Market limited-run smoothie collaboration bearing the same name. During a California wellness retreat in April, the artist elaborated on the sonic and visual inspiration behind the music to Complex.
"All the music of the ‘90s has really influenced me, but especially West Coast car culture, surfing culture, beach, laid-back. When I think of California, it’s just such a magical place, and I love a good road trip, and I’ve been doing them for many years."
Jhené Aiko, Recording Artist, via Complex
Further details emerged with the release of the official tracklist, which confirms a star-studded lineup of guest appearances tailored to the album's West Coast identity. The project opens with "Love Bomb" featuring Ab-Soul and includes prominent pairings such as "So Good" featuring Kendrick Lamar. This marks the third time Aiko and Lamar have collaborated, following their work on "Growing Apart (To Get Closer)" from the 2010 project Overly Dedicated and "Stay Ready (What a Life)" from her 2013 EP Sail Out, which later achieved platinum certification in the United States. Additional tracks feature Larry June on "Neighbors," Tyga on "Like, Whatever," and OHMA on "Golden Coast."
| Album | Release Date | Opening Week Performance | Key Collaborators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilombo | March 6, 2020 | No. 2 on Billboard 200 (152,000 equivalent units) | Nas, Big Sean, Future, H.E.R., John Legend |
| Westside Whimsy | September 11 | Pending release | Kendrick Lamar, Tyga, Larry June, Ab-Soul, OHMA |
Visual elements for the rollout include an album cover shot by Danny Williams, known professionally as "Topshelf Junior," portraying the singer against a teal background with crystal-like teardrops running down her cheeks. The release arrives via Def Jam Recordings, continuing a relationship with the label that oversaw her prior studio work alongside ArtClub International and ARTium Recordings. Aiko maintained a visible presence in the interim years through select singles, including her November 2025 release "Break," and a July feature on Larry June's track "California Dream" from the album Who Coppin.
Fans eager to experience the new material will not have to wait long. Westside Whimsy will become available across all major streaming platforms on Friday, September 11.
