Jhené Aiko, Tinashe and Victoria Monét leads this week’s New Music Friday.
Jhené Aiko’s Westside Whimsy arrives tonight after a surprise announcement on September 8. The 20-track album marks her first full-length studio project since Chilombo, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in 2020 and earned Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Progressive R&B Album.
The new record brings Aiko back together with Kendrick Lamar on “So Good,” marking their first collaboration since “Stay Ready (What a Life)” more than a decade ago. Tyga, Ab-Soul, OHMA and Larry June also appear on the album.
Tinashe, meanwhile, released “Pillow Fight” on September 10 alongside “I’d Rather Be Alone,” setting up her eighth studio album, Popstar, due September 25 through Nice Life/Atlantic. “Pillow Fight” takes a playful, sensual approach to its central metaphor, while the accompanying ballad shifts into more vulnerable territory after a run of higher-energy singles including “Too Easy,” “Crash Out” and “Melatonin.”
Her momentum will continue beyond Popstar. Tinashe has announced fall headline shows in Chicago, Brooklyn and Los Angeles, along with an opening slot for Harry Styles at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix on April 2 and 3, 2027.
Victoria Monét also released new music on September 10 with “Juicy,” the latest preview of her sophomore album Frequency of Love, arriving October 2. Built around guitar licks and production from D’Mile, Spencer Stewart and Michael Brun, the track includes a writing credit from Babyface and leans into a classic R&B sound without abandoning Monét’s modern approach.
Monét had already performed “Juicy” at European dates while supporting Bruno Mars’ Romantic Tour this summer. The song follows “Let Me,” which reached No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay, and “Reach Out,” her collaboration with Kaytranada and D’Mile.
Noteworthy releases also come from Slayyyter, LE SSERAFIM, Dove Cameron, Bleachers, John Legend, and more.
Check out the latest music releases this Friday.
Songs
- So Good – Jhené Aiko & Kendrick Lamar
- Pillow Fight – Tinashe
- Crank 2 – Slayyyter
- Juicy – Victoria Monét
- Caught Myself Believing – Bleachers
- When In Rome – Dove Cameron
- Dylight – John Legend
- Backwards – Quavo & T.I.
- Lucky [Hymn] – Shygirl
- Changes – Becky Hill
- A Different Kind of Happiness – Nothing But Thieves
- Stockholm – Dermot Kennedy
- French Kids – Almost Monday
- Lamb – Julia Wolf ft. Kellin Quinn
- Unknown Planet – IU
- Made My Night – LE SSERAFIM
- Moonride – Hearts2Hearts
- November 11th – Stray Kids
- Death of Me – EVAN
- I’m Gonna TOESA – SOYEON
- Mark on Me – &TEAM
- Make It Hot – MINHO
- Guitarist – D.O.
Albums
Westside Whimsey – Jhené Aiko
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