Jhené Aiko will end a six-year album drought with this project.

The wait for a new Jhené Aiko album is nearly over. The R&B star is preparing to release a project titled WESTSIDE WHIMSY this Friday, marking her first proper studio album in more than six years.

Aiko’s previous album, Chilombo, arrived in March 2020 and became one of the biggest releases of her career. The project debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and featured collaborations with Big Sean, Future, Miguel, H.E.R., John Legend, Ab-Soul, and Ty Dolla $ign. Its combination of atmospheric production, vulnerable songwriting, and meditative sounds earned multiple Grammy nominations while further cementing Aiko as one of her generation’s most distinctive R&B artists.

Since then, she has remained active through touring, guest appearances, and occasional releases. However, fans have spent years waiting for another complete solo statement.

Very few details about WESTSIDE WHIMSY have been revealed. However, we know Jhené Aiko excels at looking inward and transforming personal experiences into compelling music. Between welcoming a new baby, ending her relationship with Big Sean, and reportedly beginning a new romance with Larry June, she should have no shortage of material to explore.

R&B has changed considerably since Chilombo arrived, but Aiko’s influence remains easy to hear throughout the genre.

Now, Jhené Aiko is finally ready to reclaim her space. WESTSIDE WHIMSY arrives this Friday.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.