Beliebe it or not, two-time GRAMMY winner and 23-time nominee Justin Bieber now has seven full-length albums to his name.

His newest, Swag, dropped Friday, July 11 to much fanfare, following Thursday’s swirling rumors and cryptic social media teasers. Bieber's latest features 20 tracks with guest appearances from Gunna, Sexyy Red, and Cash Cobain, along with contributions from Carter Lang, Dylan Wiggins, and longtime collaborator Eddie Benjamin.

Looking at the features list — which leans heavily into hip-hop — it wouldn’t be surprising if Swag signals yet another evolution in Bieber’s sound, a consistent throughline since his earliest days as a teen pop phenom.

Swag includes several earnest love songs, showcasing Bieber at his most intentional, soulful, and musically mature. Bieber swerves through an array of influences and textures, putting his versatility and emotional fluency front and center. Some tracks evoke an old-school, cozy-cool vibe; others bounce with new jack swing soul, ’80s and ’90s pop ballad flair, while subtle nods to gospel are woven throughout.

“Go Baby,” “Devotion,” and “Yukon” may ultimately rank among Swag*’s standouts — and yet, there’s something here for every Belieber.*

From the introspective R&B stylings of 2013’s Journals to the genre-blending polish of 2021’s Justice and now Swag, Bieber has repeatedly redefined his tone while consistently remaining sonically himself.

Swag also marks a turning point in Bieber’s personal and professional life. It’s his first album since parting ways with longtime manager Scooter Braun in 2023 — and his first since welcoming a child with wife Hailey Bieber earlier this year.

With Swag, the Canadian pop star may be adding another chapter to a GRAMMY legacy. His last album, 2021's Justice, earned eight nominations — including Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year for the chart-topping single "Peaches."

Bieber was first recognized at the 2011 GRAMMYs with nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album for My World 2.0. He earned his first win in 2016 with "Where Are Ü Now" the genre-defying collaboration with Skrillex and Diplo’s joint project Jack Ü, as that year’s winner for Best Dance Recording. Bieber also earned a Latin GRAMMY Award in 2017 for his work on the global remix of"Despacito" with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, which won Best Urban Fusion/Performance.

His GRAMMY journey has also included several standout performances — including a stripped-down rendition of "Love Yourself" at the 2016 GRAMMYs, a cross-genre set with J Balvin and Tori Kelly at the 2019 and 2022 Ceremonies, his live performance of "Peaches" with Giveon and fellow Canadian, Daniel Caesar.

Whether he’s topping charts, crossing genres or gracing the stage at Music's Biggest Night, Bieber continues to evolve as a songwriter, collaborator, and performer. And with Swag, he reaffirms his place as one of pop’s most dynamic voices — and a mainstay in GRAMMY history.

See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch highlights and exclusive Grammys content from the 2026 Grammys all year long.

"I'm so happy to see such a wide variety of voices and styles here," iconic singer/songwriter Carole King said before presenting the Grammy for Song Of The Year during the 2026 Grammys last night. More than ever before, the telecast painted a picture of music as an integrated art form, where every inch of the musical spectrum can coexist harmoniously.

As such, this year's Grammys offered plenty of thrills for all viewers, from the Afro-Caribbean manifesto of Bad Bunny to the post-modern hip-hop of Kendrick Lamar to the pop buoyancy of Sabrina Carpenter.

Here are 10 must-watch moments from one of the most memorable editions of Music's Biggest Night.

Sabrina Carpenter Has a Healthy Sense of Humor — And Impeccable Timing

There's nothing quite like a grand, exuberant musical production to kick off Grammy night, and Sabrina Carpenter delivered that iconic set piece. The pop star pulled out all the stops with a vintage-airport-themed rendition of her smash hit "Manchild," complete with a dozen or more beautifully choreographed dancers and a live dove. The timing of every moment was flawless, and Carpenter — dressed as a pilot in a white outfit with a matching cap — beamed with the infectious charisma of a woman born for this kind of massive pop spectacle. This was the kind of performance that set the perfect tone for the extravaganza of Grammy Sunday and established demand for a real Sabrina Carpenter Airline.

Hip-Hop Continues To Encapsulate The Essence Of Contemporary Culture

Hip-hop occupied a place of honor in this year's edition. Kendrick Lamar won five Grammys, taking him to 27 total Grammy wins and establishing him as the rapper with the most Grammys ever. Tyler, the Creator delivered a spectacular performance, which featured a car crash, an exploding gas station, and a guest appearance by beloved actress Regina King. Clipse, Pharrell Williams and Voices of Fire triple-teamed for a rousing performance of "So Far Ahead," a highlight off their Grammy-nominated album Let God Sort Em Out.

Another unforgettable moment occurred when Pharrell accepted the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award and acknowledged the tremendous influence that both A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip, who presented the award, and Dre had on his career. "I've never stopped studying," Williams declared, clearly moved to address both legendary rappers in his acceptance speech.

The Next Wave Of Pop Glitters Even Brighter

Anyone harboring concerns about the future of pop music surely came away from the evening instantly reassured, even just from the medley of performances from the eight nominees in the Best New Artist Category alone. From the brash girl group throwback of KATSEYE's "Gnarly" to the soulful traditionalism of Olivia Dean's "Man I Need," the tactile glam of Addison Rae's "Fame Is A Gun" to the slinky soul of Leon Thomas' "Mutt," the class of 2026 showed an enviable command of multiple styles. And in her acceptance speech for the Best New Artist Grammy, Dean proved unafraid to step into a big moment, showing impressive poise and seizing the moment to underscore that she is the granddaughter of an immigrant and to encourage peace and community.

Justin Bieber Reveals More Of His Vulnerable Side

Justin Bieber performs onstage during the 2026 Grammys on Feb. 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California | Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Stripped down to his boxer shorts and socks, Justin Bieber's rendition of the R&B-flavored "YUKON" felt almost like an anti-performance — and also produced one of the evening's most intimate moments. The Canadian superstar performed solo against a bare backdrop, creating loops of electric guitar and digital percussion before performing the song's lyrics with ragged intensity. The effect was hypnotic, and oddly compelling, and the camera's frequent panning to wife Hailey Bieber's adoring attention reaffirmed the deep-seated emotionality.

Music Has The Power To Change Lives

Jelly Roll delivered an acceptance speech for the ages after winning the Best Contemporary Country Album Grammy for the aptly titled Beautifully Broken. Thanking his wife Alisa for helping him to turn his life around, the 41-year-old singer/songwriter admitted that there was a time in his life when he was broken — sitting in a six-by-eight-foot cell with a Bible and a portable radio as his only companions. "I believed that music had the power to change my life, and God had the power to change my life," he said. Clearly, they did.

Lady Gaga Makes Real Magic

Lady Gaga performs onstage during the 2026 Grammys on Feb. 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California | Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

It's difficult to categorize "Abracadabra," a meta-electro hit from Lady Gaga's Mayhem that combines imperial Euro-disco grandeur, acid techno, a subterranean dash of alternative rock, and even a bit of Siouxsie and the Banshees. But on the stage, all of those calculations faded away, Gaga reminding us why she's a singular voice in the pop world. The superstar amped up the voltage on a delirious rendition of the song, her birdcage helmet and stark black-and-red dress seemingly straight out of a Terry Gilliam movie. Whether dancing wildly or bending over a synthesizer for an extra helping of distortion, Gaga remains one of dance pop's bravest explorers, and this segment added fire to her own lore.

The Golden Tenets Of Soul And Funk Will Never Go Out Of Style

From Silk Sonic to 24K Magic, retro goodness has always defined Bruno Mars' work. But "I Just Might," the single from his upcoming fourth album, may have just elevated that vintage glory to new heights and produced one of the telecast's most infectious moments. Backed by a red-and-white-clad backing band of sublimely smooth musicians and set against a gigantic glowing heart backdrop, Mars evoked the sparkly visuals of the "Soul Train" era, the vintage spirit of Stax, '70s disco and funk, and the timeless cool of Motown, all while remaining effortlessly himself.

Time May Pass, But The Sounds Remain

Each year feels as if we're mourning more and deeper losses in the music world. Fittingly, this year's In Memoriam segment became a majestic celebration of songs that will remain forever etched in our souls. It began with a lovely take on "Trailblazer" led by Reba McEntire joined by Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson. Post Malone — alongside a rock supergroup featuring Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan, and Slash — channeled his Ozzy Osbourne power through the anti-war Black Sabbath anthem "War Pigs." Finally, a tribute to the magic of D'Angelo and Roberta Flack starred the inimitable Ms. Lauryn Hill, surrounded by many illustrious guests ranging from Raphael Saadiq and Bilal to Leon Bridges and John Legend, not to mention a Fugees reunion when Wyclef Jean joined in for a breathtaking rendition of "Killing Me Softly."

Bad Bunny Finds Vindication — And Advocates Boricua Pride

With an upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance and six nominations to his name, it was clear that all eyes were on Bad Bunny last night — as they frequently are, considering he's one of the biggest pop stars on the planet today. On Grammy Sunday, his magnum opus Debí Tirar Más Fotos — a masterful love letter to the plena and salsa roots of his native Puerto Rico — became the first all-Spanish-language album to win the Grammy for Album Of The Year since the Category was instituted in 1959. It also became the first album to win the Album Of The Year Category at both the Grammy Awards and the Latin Grammy Awards.

Music Is Political By Nature

At a time when the United States — and, truly, the world at large — is facing immense turmoil, many Grammy winners took the opportunity to use the platform and face the moment. "Ice out," a steely-eyed Bad Bunny said after winning the Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album. "We're not savages, we're not animals, we're not aliens. We are humans. We are Americans." Billie Eilish has never been one to shy away from speaking out, and added her own affirmation: "No one is illegal on stolen land," she offered while receiving the Song Of The Year Grammy for "WILDFLOWER." And while accepting the Record Of The Year Grammy for "luther," her track with Kendrick Lamar, SZA offered a rallying cry. "Please don't fall into despair," she pleaded. "We are not governed by the government — we're governed by God." And if the crowd in the Crypto.com Arena is any indication, musicians will continue to have the capacity to bring people together and make real change.

See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch highlights and exclusive Grammys content from the 2026 Grammys all year long.

Grammy winner and current Grammy nominee Justin Bieber will perform at the 2026 Grammys. The two-time Grammy winner is nominated for four Grammy Awards this year: Album Of The Year (SWAG), Best Pop Solo Performance ("DAISIES"), Best Pop Vocal Album (SWAG), and Best R&B Performance ("YUKON").

Previously announced performers at the 2026 Grammys include:

Current Best New Artist Grammy nominees Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, SOMBR, and The Marías, who are performing in a special Best New Artist segment at the 2026 Grammy Awards

Clipse and Pharrell Williams, who are currently nominated at the 2026 Grammys for their work on the former's Let God Sort Em Out

Sabrina Carpenter, who is currently nominated for six Grammy Awards at the 2026 Grammys

Additional performers at the 2026 Grammys will be announced in the coming days.

See the full list of performers and hosts at the 2026 Grammys to date (updating in real time).

The 2026 Grammys, hosted by Trevor Noah, will broadcast live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 1, at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on the CBS Television Network and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+^. 

The Grammy Awards are the only peer-recognized accolade in music and are voted on by the Recording Academy's voting membership body of music makers who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers, and engineers.  

Fulwell Entertainment is producing the 2026 Grammy Awards for the Recording Academy. Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor, Jesse Collins, and Trevor Noah are executive producers. 

^Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the episodes airs. 

See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch highlights and exclusive Grammys content from the 2026 Grammys all year long.

Releasing an album isn’t just about putting a set of songs out into the world.

It’s about sharing a cohesive piece of the artist’s inner world, opening a portal that anyone can enter and discover something completely new. Each LP reveals a depth of creativity and spirit that just doesn’t exist very often in everyday life. For the artist, it’s an act of transformation; for listeners, it’s an invitation into something raw and resonant, the kind of experience that can shift how we feel, how we think, how we live.

The Recording Academy is proud to present the 2026 GRAMMYS nominees for Album Of The Year: Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Clipse, Pusha T and Malice, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, Leon Thomas, and Tyler, The Creator. Their eight LPs each brim with unparalleled artistic and technical skill. 

This year’s potential winners include several previous Album Of The Year nominees who have yet to take home the award, as well as a few first time nominees. No matter who takes home the golden gramophone, the winner will be a powerful first. 

Learn more about the nominees below and read the full 2026 GRAMMYS nominations list ahead of Music's Biggest Night on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.

Bad Bunny — DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS

From his upcoming performance at the Super Bowl halftime show to yet another in a long string of genre-defining and -defying albums, Bad Bunny remains at the center of the pop conversation. With his DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, the Puerto Rican megastar returns to the Album Of The Year Category for the first time since 2023's Un Verano Sin Ti was nominated.

DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS ("I Should Have Taken More Photos") immediately establishes a new, confident chapter in Bunny’s creative journey. Both a creative reset and a homecoming, this deeply Puerto Rican record holds onto its roots with a depth and sincerity that’s both personal and political.

The 17-track project finds Bad Bunny sounding grounded, reflective, and newly centered, embracing maturity without losing his edge. DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS blends traditional Puerto Rican sounds — salsa, bomba, plena, and early reggaeton — into lush, forward-looking blends thanks in part to trusted collaborators such as MAG, Tainy, and La Pacienca. 

A polychrome, far-reaching set, the album feels intimate even at its most extreme, weaving through love, loss, and cultural memory. But DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS is more than diaristic expression; it’s a powerful outward statement and reclamation. Recorded entirely in Puerto Rico with local collaborators, it’s a proud assertion of identity and defiance. And while Bad Bunny has always been a proud proponent of Puerto Rico, its musical traditions and its people, the full-throated bravado and expression of strength on DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS will make it a landmark album for the country for years to come. In returning home, Bad Bunny has crafted his most spiritually and sonically rooted work yet.

Justin Bieber — SWAG

Considering he’s been entrenched in the heart of the music industry for decades, it’s tempting to think of Justin Bieber alongside a tier of aging pop stars — and by that virtue, expect him to be trying out some harebrained reinvention scheme. But in reality, he’s only recently entered his 30s, and the radiant SWAG shows that he’s still in his pop prime.

Bieber’s seventh album glides between genre touchstones without losing footing, a 20-track album equal parts confidence and confession. Featuring the likes of Gunna, Sexyy Red, and Lil B (and production assists from Dijon, Daniel Caesar, Mk.gee, and longtime collaborator Eddie Benjamin), SWAG leans into the the titular energy of hip-hop without sacrificing soul. 

Throughout the mix, Bieber’s voice remains the anchor, tender when it needs to be, silky when it wants to be, and always unmistakably Biebs. Whether touching on smooth R&B, glossy pop, gospel, or even new jack swing, those vocals keep things distinctly warm and human. Tracks like "Go Baby," "Devotion" and "Yukon" are lived-in love songs that transcend cliche and shimmer with emotional clarity. Elsewhere, he plays with texture and tempo, balancing romantic sincerity with the playful energy that first made him a star.

This is Bieber's third nomination for Album Of The Year, with 2022's Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe) his most recent run at the award. And where that record buoyed and bopped, SWAG has a smoother confidence, the work of someone at peace with their talent and looking to see where it might go next. To that end, the album represents a truly personal reset: it’s Bieber’s first since parting ways with former manager/guru Scooter Braun and his first as a new father. 

About a decade and a half since his GRAMMYS debut, Bieber continues to reinvent what pop stardom looks and sounds like. SWAG proves that sometimes evolution comes down to discovering the confidence to sound exactly like yourself.

Sabrina Carpenter — Man’s Best Friend

After conquering pop with Short n’ Sweet, Sabrina Carpenter is already back for another bite. Less than a year after her GRAMMY-winning breakout, the former child star dropped Man’s Best Friend — a sharp, cheeky and emotionally unguarded follow-up that proves lightning can strike twice.

Some stars may have ridden the pop high of Short ‘n Sweet for years, so when Carpenter announced her followup it came as quite the shock. But considering the whirlwind year that accompanied its predecessor, it’s no surprise that the singer decided she had enough inspiration for new material. And despite being inspired by the hectic energy of celebrity life and a public breakup, Man’s Best Friend features an effortless energy that pulses through every synth shimmer and sly one-liner. "I felt so at ease making Man’s Best Friend," she told fans in an email about the record. "This one felt like riding a bike." 

Reuniting with writer/producers Jack Antonoff, Amy Allen and John Ryan, Carpenter leans into her signature blend of flirtation and finesse. Across 12 tracks, she unpacks her emotional core with the wit of someone who’s survived love and loss and then tried again. Whether in disco dreamscape, country-pop catharsis or neon pop glow, Man’s Best Friend carries the authenticity, easy charm, and fluid energy of its creator.

The LP carries the sass and sparkle of Short n’ Sweet but balances it with a deepened vulnerability, Carpenter exploring her soft spots without losing her bite. But even at her most vulnerable, there’s always room for a punchline or jab; Carpenter remains delightfully, defiantly herself. With Man’s Best Friend, Carpenter is cementing her place as one of pop’s sharpest tongues: sassy, self-aware, and entirely unstoppable.

Clipse, Pusha T & Malice — Let God Sort Em Out

A lot has happened in the eighteen years since Clipse’s last album, but not the steely intensity of Pusha T and Malice. The brothers’ new album, Let God Sort Em Out, isn’t a reunion tour, it’s a fiery exclamation point reinforcing their place as rap royalty.

Nearly two decades after Til the Casket Drops, Clipse returned to their throne, supported once again by longtime collaborator Pharrell Williams. The result is an uncompromising masterclass that reasserts Clipse’s dominance while peeling back the mask on fame, faith and grief.

Over Pharrell’s stripped-down, diamond-edged production, Clipse show no sign of rust or reunion cash-grab laziness. The album opens with a gut-punch meditation on the loss of their parents and explodes outward, building from a confessional platform to the coke rap bravado that made them legends. 

From there, it’s all fire and precision, Pusha and Malice delivering bars with iron fists while Pharrell balances Hell Hath No Fury minimalism with his trademark cinematic flair. Not to mention, the guest list is absolutely stacked, with spots from John Legend, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, The-Dream, and Tyler, The Creator, among others

Let God Sort Em Out proves no one delivers truths quite like Clipse. An Album Of The Year GRAMMYS nomination further establishes their status as one of rap's most incisive acts.

Lady Gaga — MAYHEM

Seven official studio records in, Lady Gaga is still finding ways to bring massive ideas and expression into the pop sphere. Yet MAYHEM works in a controlled chaos unlike anything else in Gaga's catalog. With four Album Of The Year nominations under her belt, the Little Monsters are hoping that MAYHEM will add to her impressive 14 GRAMMYS wins.

MAYHEM shows Gaga deftly wrangling sonic chaos that would fell a lesser artist: She maintains a strong hold on her pop roots, while incorporating dance-floor and disco experimentation of her previous releases. She added that the record is an "integration of who I am in real life and who I am on stage, and how I really started to celebrate bringing those two things together." Rather than characters, MAYHEM feels like a team of Gagas inhabiting the same space, each true and tied to her heart while retaining the frenetic energy of her performative style. The fashion choices surrounding MAYHEM reflected Gaga's harnessing of her varied parts, with the usually color-blasted pop star donning asymmetrical black.

MAYHEM is also a showcase of Gaga’s collaborative alchemy. Her fiancé, Michael Polansky, is listed as an executive producer, while high-profile board whisperers like D'Mile, Andrew Watt, and Cirkut join in the fun. Add to that features from Bruno Mars and Gesaffelstein and you get an album that unites past, present, and future across an impressive 53-minute run-time. Balancing intimate balladry, playful provocation, and electrifying theatrics, MAYHEM celebrates every Gaga out there, both within herself and her listeners.

Kendrick Lamar — GNX

Few people in history have had as good a time at the GRAMMYS as Kendrick Lamar did just last year, with "Not Like Us" netting five golden gramophones. That brought his career total to 22. And now with GNX, surprise-released as 2024 drew to a close, Kenny may already be on the way to growing that total.

The followup to the superb Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, GNX takes its name from a car model akin to the one that Lamar's father drove when the rapper was a baby. Equally telling, GNX is the first album released by pgLang, the company Lamar founded, without collaboration from his former label home TDE. All said, GNX moves from the outward-pointing Drake feud energy of "Not Like Us" and back into the soul of its author. 

GNX isn't without its nimble daggers, finding all the right words to cut at competitors and boast of his superiority. And with the old-school swagger, iconic bars, and expressive production, that superiority feels earned. Lamar also brings along a crew of features from around his Compton home, most notably SZA, Roddy Ricch, and Lefty Gunplay. Production comes courtesy of Sounwave, Kamasi Washington, and even Jack Antonoff. Whether pushing g-funk-indebted synths or more Mustard-y string section goodness, GNX is a celebration, a victory lap, a next step forward, and a building block for even greater things to come.

Leon Thomas — MUTT

No one could have scripted the route that took Leon Thomas to this an Album Of The Year nomination. But after years of shining in whatever project he happens to be in — whether on Broadway, kids' sitcoms, animation or music — Leon Thomas fully stepped into the spotlight with MUTT. His second solo album, MUTT is a bold declaration of artistic autonomy.

After a childhood career in Broadway and Nickelodeon, Thomas announced his foray into solo musicianship in 2012, releasing a promising mixtape that also featured former co-star Ariana Grande. In the years that followed, he amassed a catalog of writing and production credits with Freddie Gibbs, Post Malone, Rich the Kid, Jack Harlow, SZA, Drake, and many more. But Thomas deftly tackled transitioning from in-demand producer back to headlining artist, with MUTT's title track dominating charts.

An impressively cohesive and confident record, MUTT is a fusion of jazz, neo-soul, and rock, rooted in Thomas’ lifelong influences: a wide range from Art Blakey and Miles Davis, to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Across 14 tracks, Thomas blends lush instrumentation and stacked vocals to forge a sound that’s both expansive and intimate. More broadly, MUTT represents the artist’s journey of embracing creative control, breaking genre rules, and owning the narrative of his career.

While Thomas entered the year with a GRAMMY under his belt for his work on SZA's "Snooze," the 2026 GRAMMYS could fully ensconce Thomas as a star in his own right as an R&B visionary capable of rich, genre-defying statements.

Tyler, the Creator — Chromakopia

After entering the public consciousness with the reputation of a button-pushing outsider, Tyler, the Creator has truly blossomed into one of the most unique voices in rap — including Best Rap Album wins for both 2019's Igor and 2021's Call Me If You Get Lost. His Album Of The Year nomination for the hypercharged Chromakopia further solidifies Tyler's ascendancy as hip-hop royalty.

Chromakopia is propelled by self-scouring lyricism, with Tyler revealing emotional depths that so many others are afraid to face — let alone expose to the world. It takes a special kind of artist to do a self-diss track, after all. Throughout the album, Tyler, the Creator and Tyler Okonma (his government name) seem to be in fluid conversation, with Tyler's mother, Bonita Smith, offering diaristic narration. A blend of jazz and soul stylings lends an added dimensionality to that exploration, Tyler knowing when to push thoughtful calm and when to ramp up the intensity.

While Tyler naturally remains the center of the conversation, he brings together an impressive guest list including GloRilla, Doechii, Lil Wayne, Schoolboy Q, and Sexxy Red. Tyler masterfully brings those big personalities together in his own narrative, turning them into a cohesive chorus in support of his vision.

If Tyler's early days were highlighted by controversial aggression and the second era of his life was headlined by wild-eyed, technicolor emotionality, Chromakopia signifies a more precise, introspective take — though, of course, without losing an ounce of the razor-sharp lyricism. It’s tempting to say this isn’t the same Tyler of Odd Future, but the beauty of Chromakopia comes in showing the many facets of Tyler’s brain, coexisting under the microscope.

We've made it to September, and though summer may be dwindling to a close, the flood of exciting new music shows no sign of slowing.

It's been a particularly huge week for K-pop fans, with a litany of new releases including MONSTA X's THE X, NCT WISH'S COLOR - The Third Mini Album, TREASURE's 3rd Mini Album [LOVE PULSE], ZEROBASEONE's NEVER SAY NEVER, JUN. K's Dear my muse and ILLIT's Toki Yo Tomare. Plus, PURPLE KISS unveil their final EP, OUR NOW, before their upcoming disbanding in November and DAY6 drop THE DECADE. And in addition to all of the new projects, a slew of K-pop tours kicked off this week as well.

Other albums include SG Lewis' Anemoia, Rob Thomas' All Night Days, Joni Mitchell's 61-track box set Joni's Jazz, Tchotchke's Playin' Dumb and Big Thief's Double Infinity. Meanwhile, Jessica Simpson continues charting her long-awaited comeback with Nashville Canyon, Pt. 2, The Last Dinner Party unsheath "The Schythe" in preparation for their sophomore album From The Pyre, grandson proves he's done his physics homework with INERTIA, Grupo Firme joins forces with Grupo Frontera on "Modo Difícil" and El Michels Affair drops 24 Hour Sports.

Below, press play on 10 more can't-miss releases of the week, including a spooky Wednesday-themed single from Lady Gaga, a surprise sequel to SWAG from Justin Bieber, a Fortnite anthem courtesy of d4vd and more. 

Lady Gaga — "The Dead Dance"

The category may have been dance or die when "Abracadabra" dropped in February, but now it's time to do "The Dead Dance," Little Monsters! Lady Gaga's irresistible new single appears on the Season 2 soundtrack of "Wednesday" following Mother Monster's long-hyped appearance as (spoiler alert!) Rosaline Rotwood, but it's also been added to the reissue of MAYHEM alongside bonus tracks "Can't Stop the High" and "Kill For Love."

Complete with a spooky, ooky music video directed by the one and only Tim Burton, Gaga turns "The Dead Dance" into a sure-to-be-viral sensation as she announces, "You've created a creature of the night/ Now I'm haunting your air, your soul, your eyes…Yeah, I'll keep on dancin' until I'm dead." 

Not only does the new song manage to boogie down the path paved by "Bloody Mary," it's bound to be an inescapable hit on par with "The Monster Mash" come All Hallow's Eve.

Read More: How Each Of Lady Gaga's Albums Led Her To 'MAYHEM'

Justin Bieber — SWAG II

Just when his loyal Beliebers thought he couldn't possibly have more swag, Justin Bieber surprised the world by announcing SWAG II would be arriving Friday at midnight with digital billboards projected on landmarks around the globe. And while the sequel may have taken a few extra hours to hit streaming services, the pop star added 23 new tracks to his SWAG era.

The two-time GRAMMY winner continues the laid-back, lo-fi sound that defined the sound of SWAG earlier this summer, though there's a marked pop-centric immediacy to standouts like "SPEED DEMON," "LOVE SONG" and the Tems-assisted "I THINK YOU'RE SPECIAL." The second chapter of SWAG also features additional collaborations with Bakar ("DON'T WANNA"), Hurricane Chris ("POPPIN' MY S***"), Lil B ("SAFE SPACE") and Eddie Benjamin ("OPEN UP YOUR HEART"). 

Read More: Justin Bieber's Biggest Hits: 12 Songs That Showcase His Pop Prowess And R&B Sensibilities

Latto & Ice Spice — "GYATT"

Latto and Ice Spice entered the chat on Thursday (Sept. 3) with their braggadocious new collab, "GYATT." Rumors of a feud between the pair have been perpetuated for years, and in the track's video, the two rappers playfully put those rumors to bed once and for all by facing off in a heavyweight wrestling match straight out of the WWE. 

"A bitch like me walk in, they turnin' heads, they be like, 'Gyatt!'" Latto declares before tossing the mic to Ice Spice for the second verse. Naturally, plenty of twerking, performative wrestling moves and even some lap-dancing ensues in the ring before, eventually, both GRAMMY nominees are declared winners by the referee. 

Read More: The Rise Of Ice Spice: How The "Barbie World" Rapper Turned Viral Moments Into A Full-On Franchise

aespa — Rich Man - The Sixth Mini-Album

On their sixth mini-album, Rich Man, aespa display an unwavering confidence as they suffuse their futuristic K-pop through genre after genre — from the whistling hip-hop of "Drift" and the R&B flow of "Count on Me" to the airy, delicate pop of the English-language "Angel #48" and the message of heartfelt empowerment the quartet share on closer "To The Girls."

Meanwhile, the mini-album's title track — which takes its sentiment from the famous quote by Cher — arrives with a high-octane accompanying music video. In the Lee Ok-seop-helmed visual, members KARINA, WINTER, GISELLE and NINGNING find themselves getting down and dirty, whether they're dominating on the football field, working on the farm or performing in front of an arena full of cheering fans. 

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d4vd — "Locked & Loaded (Official Fortnite anthem)"

"You should have noticed I've been focused/ You should have known I'm locked and loaded," d4vd warns on "Locked & Loaded," the soundtrack to this year's 2025 Fortnite Global Championship — which is set to begin Sept. 16 in Lyon, France. The Battle Bus-ready track serves as triumphant proof of just how far the "Feel It" singer (and longtime Fortnite gamer) has come from his roots on YouTube, where he started penning original music to avoid copyright disputes on the Fortnite montages he would upload back in 2021.**

"Fortnite has been such a big part of my life and it's what led me to make music in the first place," d4vd said in a press release. "Being able to create the official anthem for Fortnite feels like a true full-circle moment. Fortnite gave me a space to be creative and connect with people all over the world, and that same energy is what I wanted to put into this track. It's more than a song — it's me giving back to something that's shaped my story as an artist. And even now, playing Fortnite is still my true passion."

Watch: d4vd Commits "Romantic Homicide" In This Raw Performance Of His Breakthrough Single | Press Play

Queen Naija — "rain…"

Queen Naija channels the tried-and-true sounds of classic R&B on "rain…," the lead-off for her upcoming EP. The track is her first new release since the 2024 trio of singles "Straight Outta Heaven," "Missing You" and "Good Girls Finish Last."

"I had to remind y'all that no matter how versatile I can get, R&B will continue to run through my veins," the singer said in a statement about the track, on which she seductively croons, "Baby, I got it on a plate/ Ooh, tell me you haven't ate/ Say that you're on the way/ Don't know if I can stand the wait."

Ivy — Traces of You

In 2020, Ivy suffered a devastating loss when multi-instrumentalist and co-founder Adam Schlesinger tragically passed away from COVID-19. Five years later, the pop band's two surviving members, Dominique Durand and Andy Chase, have returned with Traces of You, Ivy's first album of new material since 2011's All Hours.  

The LP is quite literally filled with traces of Schlesinger, who contributes posthumously across all 12 tracks thanks to fragments and demos the band had recorded from 1995 to 2012. "It's been a gift to have discovered old unfinished ideas we did with [Adam]," the duo shared in a press release. "It's been even more of a gift to have had the chance to finish them recently and now be able to present them for you. We hope you'll enjoy hearing pieces of our past and glimpses of our future as we continue our musical journey."

Fujii Kaze — Prema

It's been three-and-a-half years since LOVE ALL SERVE ALL, Fujii Kaze's sophomore album, and the Japanese singer is still all about the love when it comes to his third studio effort, Prema. Not only does the new record contain prerelease singles "Hachikō" and "Love Like This," it's also filled with earnest highlights like morbidly flirtatious opener "Casket Girl," '80s-influenced banger "I Need U Back" and the funky, rapturous title track, which allows the pianist to show off his talents on the keys.

While making Prema, Kaze's motivations in the studio were to craft something, "pure, simple, uplifting," as he explained in a press release accompanying the album (whose Sanskrit title translates to "Supreme Love" in English). "It's more than just music for me, it's a lifestyle," the singer continued in his statement. "With this record, I wanted to be love itself — selfless, spiritual, and supreme love — Prema."

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Tom Odell — A Wonderful Life

**Tom Odell fearlessly and eloquently gives voice to the anxieties, frustrations and seemingly never-ending unprecedented times of the current moment on his sardonically titled seventh studio set, A Wonderful Life.**

Written over the course of nine months on the road, the English singer/songwriter's new album was meticulously crafted lyric upon lyric. "I labored over every line," he said in a statement upon the unveiling of pre-release single "Don't Cry, Put Your Head on My Shoulder." "I went in on those words every day, just refining and refining and refining. I can be a bit obsessive, and the obsessive part of me is…the bit that does not give up on songs."

AJR — What No One's Thinking

Fresh off their first-ever arena tour last summer, the brothers of AJR are grappling with a cavalcade of uncomfortable emotions and hard truths on What No One's Thinking, the five-track follow-up to their 2023 album The Maybe Man. In a teaser released on social media ahead of its release, middle brother and lead vocalist Jack Met revealed that the band was hit with a serious case of writer's block when they first sat down to write the new EP, before coming to the realization, "We were suppressing a lot of s—." 

He further described the project as "a collection of songs we did not want to have to write," and the EP touches on everything from putting off confronting a floundering romance on opener "The Plane That Never Lands" or filtering an all-too-human crisis through the eyes of an unfailingly loyal companion on "A Dog Song."