Westside Whimsy
2026 studio album by Jhené Aiko
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Westside Whimsy is the fourth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Jhené Aiko. It was released on September 11, 2026, by ArtClub International and Def Jam Recordings. Six years following the release of her previous studio album Chilombo (2020), Aiko surprise announced the album on social media the week of its release. The album includes collaborations with Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar, Larry June, Ohma, and Tyga.
| Westside Whimsy | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 11, 2026 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 55:49 | |||
| Labels |
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| Producers |
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| Jhené Aiko chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Westside Whimsy | ||||
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Background
Shortly after the release of Jhené Aiko's third album Chilombo on March 6, 2020, the singer intended to embark on the Magic Hour Tour.[1] The tour was subsequently cancelled following lockdown restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, during her hiatus from music, Aiko released her mixtape Sailing Soul(s) (2011) to all streaming platforms to honor the project's ten-year anniversary. In 2022, Aiko gave birth to her second child and son Noah with rapper Big Sean.[2].
During her time away from releasing full-length projects, she collaborated with several artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, Swae Lee, Tyga, and Snoop Dogg over the course of four years. In 2023, Aiko sporadically released several standalone singles "Calm & Patient" and "Alive & Well (Gratitude Mantra)" respectively. On January 11, 2024, the singer released "Sun/Son", a song dedicated to her son. In March 2024, she announced the revival of The Magic Hour Tour after its previous cancellation, with musicians Coi Leray, Kiana Ledé, Tink, and Umi as opening acts.[3]
In 2025, Aiko revealed her home burned down during the Palisades Fire. "Praying for everyone this morning," Aiko wrote on her Instagram stories, "Those who lost their home. Those who lost their life’s work, those who lost their life. Praying for my city. Praying for the wildlife and lost pets. Praying for the world—let suffering be a gift; a lesson in compassion."[4][5][6] On November 18, 2025, Aiko released "Break" which would appear on the album.
In January 2026, in partnership with Erewhon, Aiko announced Westside Whimsy as a smoothie, teasing the album's title.[7] In a 2026 interview with Complex, Aiko described that the album as "laid-back" is heavily influenced by 90's music, inspired by her hometown in California, with elements of West Coast culture and surf culture. "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," Aiko said.[8][9]
During the summer of 2026, Aiko teased an album on Instagram stories. On September 8, 2026, when describing Westside Whimsy on an Instagram Threads post, Aiko acknowledged the six-year gap and her return to music. "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," Aiko stated.
Release and promotion
On September 8, Jhené Aiko surprise announced Westside Whimsy on all social media platforms the week of the album's official release.[10] A day after, the singer revealed the album's track list consisting of 20 tracks.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Wild Cat(s)" |
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| 1:06 |
| 2. | "Ghost" |
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| 2:03 |
| 3. | "Break" |
| Le | 3:15 |
| 4. | "Love Bomb" (with Ab-Soul) |
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| 2:31 |
| 5. | "Ceiling (Freestyle)" |
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| 3:27 |
| 6. | "Nothing Nice to Say" |
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| 2:15 |
| 7. | "He Belongs" |
|
| 3:21 |
| 8. | "Like, Whatever" (featuring Tyga) |
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| 3:31 |
| 9. | "You" |
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| 1:43 |
| 10. | "Don't Be That Guy" |
| Jesse "Corparal" Wilson | 2:54 |
| 11. | "Lullaby" |
|
| 2:58 |
| 12. | "Neighbors" (featuring Larry June) |
| Le | 3:35 |
| 13. | "Mine" |
| 2:44 | |
| 14. | "So Good" (featuring Kendrick Lamar) |
|
| 3:57 |
| 15. | "Beach Boy" |
|
| 3:27 |
| 16. | "Unicorn" |
|
| 2:58 |
| 17. | "I Don't Mind" |
|
| 3:10 |
| 18. | "Nami's Haiku" |
| Le | 2:19 |
| 19. | "A Living Light" |
|
| 2:59 |
| 20. | "Golden Coast" (featuring Ohma) |
|
| 1:28 |
| Total length: | 55:49 | |||
Personnel
These credits have been adapted from Spotify.[11]
- Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo – executive production
- Ketrina "Taz" Askew – executive production
- Ab-Soul – background vocals (4)
- Amaire Johnson – programming, drum kit (5)
- Blaq Tuxedo – vocal production, programming, bass, keyboard (10)
- Boi-1da – programming (13)
- Brian Warfield – background vocals (1); recording (1–4, 6–9, 12, 15–17, 19, 20); programming (1, 2, 4, 6–9, 11, 15–17); trumpet (3); keyboard (6–9, 11, 15–17); trombone (12); programming engineering (19, 20)
- Collin Clark – engineering assistance (1, 2, 4–10, 12–15, 17–20)
- Dan Kamerman-Glik – engineering assistance (1, 2, 4–10, 12–15, 17–20)
- David Otis – saxophone (1, 2, 11, 16)
- Dereshean "OTR" Jarrett – recording (3)
- Erik Hammer – guitar (10)
- Garrett Duncan – engineering assistance (1, 2, 4–10, 12–15, 17–20)
- Gregg Rominiecki – recording, mixing (all tracks); background vocals (1, 15, 20); mastering (3)
- Hailey Niswanger – flute (20)
- Jacob Stewart – engineering assistance (1, 2, 4–10, 12–15, 17–20)
- Jahaan Sweet – bass, keyboard (14)
- Jesse "Corparal" Wilson – programming, bass, keyboard (10)
- Jonah Levine – guitar (19)
- Julian-Quan Viet Le – arrangement (1, 2); programming (1, 2, 4, 6–9, 11, 12, 15–18); recording (1–4, 6–9, 11, 12, 14–20); keyboard (1, 3, 6–9, 11, 12, 15–20); drum kit, bass (3, 12); flute (7); background vocals (15); programming engineering (19)
- Kayla Dewitt – engineering assistance (1, 2, 4–10, 12–15, 17–20)
- Larry June – background vocals (12, 17)
- Luke Kennedy Aiono – guitar (19)
- Maclean Robinson – programming (4)
- Megan Shung – strings (1, 2)
- Mia Garcia – guitar (20)
- MTech – programming engineering (14)
- Noah Stewart – background vocals (8)
- Oli Jacobs – mixing (14)
- Owen Clapp – bass (1)
- Paris Arditti – recording (10)
- Robert "Bubby" Lewis – bass (17)
- Samantha Henry – recording (8)
- Scott Bridgeway – programming engineering (14)
- Sounwave – programming engineering (14)
- Swam – keyboard (5)
- Todd Cooper – recording (1, 2, 4–20); background vocals (20)
- Victor San Pedro – guitar (19)
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | September 11, 2026 |
|