New Music Friday: January 9, 2026
- Chinyere Ibeh
- Jan 10
- 4 min read
As the new year settles in, artists starting off with new songs and albums.
The new year is bringing in a slew of new music as artists are releasing songs for new and upcoming albums. These artists are not only announcing their new albums, but announcing tours for said albums.
Jill Scott Makes Her Return with “Pressha,” Another Single for Her To Whom It May Concern Album
The three-time GRAMMY winner released “Pressha” as the second single from her upcoming album, To Whom It May Concern. Set for a February 13 release, the album will be the sixth studio album from Scott. It will be released independently through her Blues Babe Records Imprint and distributed by Human Resources/The Orchard.
As reported by The Urban Music Scene, “Pressha” is an anthem of liberation that features Scott’s “signature truth-telling.” The single confronts societal expectations, beauty myths, and status games.
The song serves as another collaboration with Adam Blackstone, who was on bass alongside VT Tolan. “Pressha” features jazz instrumentation with horns, improvisation, live musicianship, and layered harmonies.
To Whom It May Concern will feature a total of 19 songs, described by Scott as “an offering to all.” The album will have Ab-Soul, J.I.D., Tierra Whack, and Too $hort as vocal collaborators while DJ Premier, Camper, and Andre Harris are amongst the team of producers.
Ari Lennox Comes Through with a Third Single, “Twin Flame,” for Her Upcoming Album
Fellow R&B singer Ari Lennox released “Twin Flame,” a single describing the intoxicating feelings of a man potentially being her twin flame. Serving as a single from her upcoming album, Vacancy, which will be released on January 23 as Lennox’s third studio album.
The D.C.-born singer previously released “Vacancy” and “Under Moon” as part of the album’s rollout. The title track served as a reunion with Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, who co-wrote and produced her smash hit “Pressure.”
As Stereo Gum describes it, “Twin Flame” is built on a “charming, syncopated beat.” Lennox sings about how love has transformed her, wondering if the fiery feeling is mutual. The song later morphs into what Stereo Gum describes as trip-hop and described Lennox as a vocal chameleon.
Gloss Up Releases News Album, Inferno, with YFN Lucci Collaboration for “Hot Box”
Memphis rapper Gloss Up released her new album, Inferno, on Jan. 9 with Dubba AA serving as the project’s producer. Inferno is Gloss Up’s first project since 2024’s Not Ya Girl: Act 1, which solidified her place in the hip hop landscape.
Many are praising Inferno as one of her most compelling bodies of work as she includes plenty of “energetic bars” to the project, as described by Hip-Hop Vibe. The publication notes the depth, consistency, and atmosphere within the project as well as Gloss Up’s sharp writing and her understanding of both her roots and future.
BBNO$ Returns to Music with New Single, “Diamonds Are Forever”
BBNO$, a Canadian-born rapper and singer, came out of his month-long “retirement” with a new single, “diamonds are forever.” Melodic Magazine notes that his return signals a creative reset rather than a full-on retirement, which came from a TikTok challenge.
His new single showcases a more vulnerable side to the musician as opposed to the energetic and carefree energy of his self-titled album. “diamonds are forever” channels a thought-provoking “money isn’t everything” ideology with a melancholic vibe.
The singer will head out on tour next month, starting on Feb. 14 at The Warfield in San Francisco. Dubbed the Internet Explorer World will also touch down in Ireland, the United Kingdom, France and other European countries. He will end the tour in Toronto in June 2026.
“I Just Might” Brings Bruno Mars Back into the Fold as a Single for His New Album and Tour
Bruno Mars released his new song, “I Just Might,” along with its music video — a party-like environment with duplicates of Mars. He posted about the song and its video on social media with a caption that read:
“It’s party time! The self-proclaimed Aura Lord is Back. I Just Might song and video out now!”
The music video features a full band performing in a carpeted studio space with Mars as the lead singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer, DJ and the dancers. Mars also portrays a cameraman filming himself performing the song with colorful lights fill the space.
Not only did Mars release the new song and its music video, he announced both a new album and its corresponding tour. The Romantic serves as the musician’s first solo album in almost a decade with a release date of Feb. 27.
He previously released the 2021 project, titled An Evening With Silk Sonic, as one-half of Silk Sonic alongside Anderson .Paak. “Pick Up Your Feelings,” one of the songs from the album, swept at the 2022 GRAMMYS by winning Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance and Song.
The album won Album of the Year at that year’s BET Awards, and was nominated for Favorite R&B Album at the American Music Awards and Album of the Year at the 2022 Soul Train Awards. The duo refused to submit the album for the 2023 GRAMMYS due to the amount of accolades it has already won.
Mars will now head on tour for his new solo album, dubbed “The Romantic Tour,” with 40 shows across North America, Europe and the United Kingdom. Anderson .Paak (as DJ Pee .Wee), Leon Thomas, Raye and Victoria Monet will be openers for his tour.