Surprise! Jhené Aiko is back. The Grammy-nominated singer announced her Westside Whimsy album on Tuesday (Sept. 8). While it’s been more than six years since her last LP, fans won’t have to wait much longer, as the project is set to arrive on Friday (Sept. 11).
“Westside Whimsy (THE ALBUM) out Friday,” Aiko captioned the post alongside the album’s cover art, which features a photo of the singer crying crystal tears.
Beyond Aiko’s fans, plenty of the R&B staple’s musical peers were hyped to hear about her return. Kehlani, Ella Mai, H.E.R., Amine, Blxst, Chloe Bailey and more chimed in with comments. “Welcome back, reina!! Can’t wait,” Lauren Jauregui wrote.
Aiko revealed that the ’90s and her home state of California were inspiring her new project during a wellness experience event she hosted in April.
“All the music of the ‘90s has really influenced me, but especially West Coast car culture, surfing culture, beach, laid-back,” she said, per Complex. “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.”
The 38-year-old teased her album title when naming her Erewhon smoothie collaboration Westside Whimsy in January.
Aiko’s last album, Chilombo, arrived just ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown in March 2020. The project debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for album of the year at the Grammy Awards.
Find the Westside Whimsy cover art below. Look for the album to arrive on Friday.
Def Jam Recordings