New Music Friday is coming with completely different moods this week. Whether the weekend calls for something heavy, something reflective, or something made for the car, there is a lane for it.
EST Gee returns with “Bigger Than the Devil,” his latest project through CMG and Interscope Records. The Louisville rapper has already been keeping pressure on 2026, and this album keeps that momentum moving with the kind of blunt, survival-minded storytelling that has become central to his catalog. Records including “Call Spitta,” “Sometimes,” “Thug Club,” “Supreme Sanders,” and “Ya Digg” helped set up the rollout, while the full project digs further into money, loyalty, pressure, and the consequences that come with Gee’s rise. YFN Lucci and SKRT also join him on “Tranquilizer.” Rather than reaching for a dramatic reinvention, EST Gee sounds focused on sharpening the formula that made listeners lock in with him in the first place.
Jhené Aiko, meanwhile, is finally back with Westside Whimsy, her fourth studio album and first full-length release since 2020’s Chilombo.” The 20-track project is rooted heavily in Los Angeles and brings several West Coast names along for the ride, including Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Larry June, Tyga, and OHMA.
Among the biggest moments is “So Good,” featuring Kendrick Lamar, bringing the two artists back together after collaborations dating back more than a decade. Ab-Soul appears on “Love Bomb,” Larry June joins “Neighbors,” Tyga lands on “Like, Whatever,” and OHMA appears on “Golden Coast.” Still, the project remains centered on Aiko’s airy songwriting, introspection, love, healing, and the California environment that has always shaped her sound.
Rich The Kid and Gunna also reunite this week for “Too Bad,” putting two familiar Atlanta voices back on the same track. Their history is not new. Gunna previously appeared with Young Thug on “Fall Threw” from Rich The Kid’s 2019 album “The World Is Yours 2,” and the pair have remained within the same musical orbit since.
This week’s New Music Friday is basically multiple different playlists in one. Pick the mood and press play. Keep scrolling to discover more of the vibes.
Rich The Kid feat. Gunna – “Too Bad” (single)
Quavo feat. T.I. – “Backwards” (single)
Fivio Foreign & The Fire Choir – “Soldier” (single)
Tinashe – “Pillow Fight” (single)
Tinashe – “I’d Rather Be Alone” (single)
Victoria Monét – “Juicy” (single)
Rema – “Oh No” (single)
John Legend – “Daylight” (single)
EST GEE – “Bigger Than The Devil” (album)
Jhené Aiko – “Westside Whimsy” (album)
Rio Da Yung OG – “The World Is Yours” (album)
Ro$ama – “My Forte” (album)
HoodRich Pablo Juan – “The Bloprint” (album)
