Jhené Aiko is officially back in music mode, and she’s bringing a few familiar faces with her.
Just days after announcing her long-awaited fourth studio album, Westside Whimsy, the Los Angeles singer has revealed the project’s full tracklist ahead of its September 11 release. The 20-track album includes appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Larry June, Tyga and OHMA.
Of course, Kendrick’s name immediately stands out. He appears on track 14, “So Good.” This marks his third collaboration with Jhené and their first in more than a decade. The two previously connected on “Growing Apart (To Get Closer)” from Kendrick’s Overly Dedicated and Jhené’s “Stay Ready (What a Life).” Which also featured a verse from Kendrick under his sing-songy Man-Man alias.
Elsewhere, longtime collaborator Ab-Soul joins Jhené for “Love Bomb,” while Tyga appears on “Like, Whatever.” Larry June lends a verse to “Neighbors,” and OHMA closes out the project alongside Jhené on “Golden Coast.”
Westside Whimsy Tracklist
Westside Whimsy arrives six years after Jhené’s 2020 album Chilombo. That album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and earned three Grammy nominations. The lengthy break makes this comeback especially interesting. However, Jhené has already offered a few clues about where she’s headed sonically. Earlier this year, she described the album as being inspired by ’90s music, West Coast car culture, surfing, beaches and the overall magic of California.
Her highly-publicized relationship with Big Sean has also been a point of interest in recent years. The singer has also sparked dating rumors with Larry June after the two appeared in the music video for “California Dream.”
That influence is already written all over titles like “Beach Boy,” “A Living Light” and “Golden Coast.”
With 20 songs and some major West Coast reunions on deck, Westside Whimsy is shaping up to be a proper reintroduction to Jhené’s world after six years away.
