This January, it’s time to live out your “Brat” New Year’s resolutions and party hard as the unexpected powerhouse music releasing this month is already setting a standard for the decade, even catering to the most left-field listener.
Hip-hop heavyweights are taking center stage this month, led by Lil Baby’s explosive “WHAM (Who Hard As Me),” proving once again who hypes the pre-game. Meanwhile, Lil Durk’s “Deep Thoughts” opts for a more raw and introspective look at his chaotic year and a journey toward transformation. Across the Atlantic, UK rising star Central Cee may have guested on every pop star’s signature hit, but it’s time for him to have a solo hit under his belt, and “CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS” may solve that issue.
Fans of indie, pop, and alternative can dive into flipturn’s Burnout Days, Rebecca Black’s hyperpop-infused SALVATION EP, and Ethel Cain’s long-awaited gothic manifestation on PERVERTS EP. Also, Kane Brown’s genre-bending country and Teddy Swims’s raspy soul-pop are undeniable earworms, ready to reach new heights with their respective records and star-studded collaborations.
Iconic boundary-pushers FKA twigs and The Weeknd return with career-defining projects. Twigs sets the dance floor ablaze with her rave-ready EUSEXUA, while the Canadian sensation hints at a farewell to his Grammy-winning moniker with Hurry Up Tomorrow. As a bittersweet finale, fans are treated to the long-awaited release of Mac Miller’s now-posthumous Balloonerism—a 2014 gem finally seeing the light of day.
Looking ahead, January is already shaping into an unforgettable music milestone, packed with hip-hop anthems and licks of pop. From resurfaced projects to fresh eargasmic production, it’s the perfect time to ring in the New Year with your favorite artists and their hot releases.
“WHAM (Who Hard As Me)” by Lil Baby
Releases on January 3
After taking a brief hiatus, the Young Thug protégé returned to the music scene in late 2024 with three singles that won’t be featured on his upcoming album. After unveiling A-list features, including Rod Wave, Glorilla, Travis Scott, and 21 Savage, the Atlanta rapper took to Instagram to warn opps that WHAM will reset culture: “Ain’t It Crazy How They Tryna Play Me Like I Ain’t The One!!! It’s That Time!” Lil Baby also revealed plans for his next album, the more personal and eponymous Dominique, to shortly follow WHAM in February, though nothing is confirmed yet.
“Perverts EP” by Ethel Cain
Releases on January 8
Clocking in at 90 minutes across nine tracks, Hayden Anhedönia, better known as Ethel Cain, redefines the concept of an “extended play.” This release marks her first significant departure from the haunting narrative of Preacher’s Daughter, venturing further into Cain’s signature Southern Gothic universe. With “The 12 Pillars of Simulacrum”—a self-created philosophy inspired partly by Jean Baudrillard’s Simulacra and Simulation—Cain delves deeper into the love and fear of human existence. On the November single “Punish,” she mourns, “Only God would believe that I was an angel, but they made me leave,” her words emphasized by rock-infused electric guitars that haunt the ambient soundscape.
“Balloonerism” by Mac Miller
Releases on January 17
The estate of the late Pittsburgh rapper surprised fans with the announcement of Balloonerism, a highly speculated album recorded during the same time as 2014’s Faces. Ultimately shelved in favor of other projects, the record now resurfaces as Miller’s second posthumous release following 2020’s Circles. While no promotional singles have been released, rumors suggest SZA, Hodgy, and Delusional Thomas are featured.
“SALVATION EP” by Rebecca Black
Releases on January 17
Long gone is the “Friday” teeny bopper. Over a decade later, Rebecca Black commands Boiler Room DJ sets, determined to cement her “Party Girl God” status, a title she boldly proclaimed in her controversial single. SALVATION, her third EP and follow-up to 2023’s Let Her Burn, promises early hyperpop bangers with experimental, industrial stems and pitched-up, distorted vocals, as seen in the Trojan horse single “Sugar Water Cyanide.”
“CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS” by Central Cee
Releases on January 24
Since signing a reported $25 million USD deal with Columbia Records last year, UK’s Central Cee now holds up a heavy gold chain on the artwork for his debut album. Featuring 17 tracks, including the new-age romance anthem “gen z luv,” the album solidifies his ascent from mixtapes and sold-out shows to global stardom.
“Burnout Days” by flipturn
Releases on January 24
Florida indie rockers flipturn channel ethereal melodies and gripping guitar work in their sophomore album, Burnout Days. With their cathartic lead single “Sunlight,” the five-member band reflects on themes of family, addiction, and recovery, featuring Dillon Basse’s most personal lyrics to date: “Like a bonsai tree’s branches needing to be cut in order to grow, human beings also need to be pruned.”
“EUSEXUA” by FKA twigs
Releases on January 24
“EUSEXUA IS A PRACTICE. EUSEXUA IS A STATE OF BEING. EUSEXUA IS THE PINNACLE OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE,” the British singer shared on Discord, describing her self-made term as “momentary transcendence.” Twigs’s third album era transforms underground Eastern European rave production into cataclysmic showdowns, as heard in singles “Eusexua,” “Drums of Death,” and “Perfect Stranger.”
“Hurry Up Tomorrow” by The Weeknd
Releases on January 24
“A new path awaits. When today ends, I’ll discover who I am,” wrote Abel Tesfaye, hinting this may be his final album as The Weeknd. Securing a Top 3 Billboard hit with “Timeless” featuring Playboi Carti, and accompanied by a psychological thriller film of the same name starring Jenna Ortega, Barry Keoghan, and himself, Tesfaye’s swan song promises to leave a lasting legacy.
“Deep Thoughts” by Lil Durk
Releases on January 31
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With most of his legal battles behind him, Lil Durk’s ninth studio album takes a reflective turn, addressing themes of drug use on “Optimist” and chronicling his artistic evolution on “Late Checkout” featuring Huxcho.
“NGL EP” by JoJo
Releases on January 24
After her New York Times best-selling memoir, “Over The Influence,” the platinum Grammy-winning R&B sensation continues her story with an upcoming extended play. Its lead singles, “Too Much To Say” and “Porcelain,” seamlessly blend pop production with lyrical resilience.
“The High Road” by Kane Brown
Releases on January 24
The Chattanooga-born country singer has made headlines with genre-bending collaborations alongside Swae Lee, John Legend, and Blake Shelton. “The High Road” plans on extending that trailblazing notoriety with Brown enlisting DJ Marshmello for his lead single, “Miles On It,” while locking in other high-profile collaborations with Jelly Roll, Brad Paisley, Katelyn Brown, and Khalid for the record’s other 17 tracks.
“I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)” by Teddy Swims
Releases on January 24
Who needs therapy when the “Lose Control” hitmaker can release another project? “Part 2” follows last year’s “Part 1.5,” a deluxe edition with four new bonus tracks from his sophomore album. Now, with heartfelt singles “Bad Dreams” and “Funeral,” his junior effort embraces a more radio-friendly, Adele-esque pop sound while still showcasing his raspy powerhouse vocals.
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