Everything We Loved in Music This Week: January 23
Rocky continues to expand ‘Don’t Be Dumb,’ along with a myriad of new project announcements from Don Toliver, fakemink, Foggieraw, James Blake, and a new supergroup from Denzel Curry.
There’s a lot to look back on this week.
It’s no surprise the 2026 music scene is shaping up incredibly solidly, but the past seven days have shaken up the sonic zeitgeist quite a bit. Don’t Be Dumb continues to dominate the cultural conversation, as A$AP Rocky carefully and creatively expands the acclaimed new album visually, musically, and experientially.
Don Toliver announced his long-awaited OCTANE LP – due out sooner rather than later – along with other studio project announcements from fakemink, Foggieraw, and Denzel Curry, and new releases hit from IDK, Young Thug x Fred again.., Ari Lennox, xaviersobased, James Blake, and more.
Stream all of our favorite new releases in the January playlist below, and find all this week’s full roundup underneath.
A$AP Rocky Expands Don’t Be Dumb
Rocky isn’t done laying the groundwork for the Don’t Be Dumb universe quite yet. Since the album’s release last week, the rapper has remained consistent with its cinematic music videos, dropping off captivating visual components for tracks including “WHISKEY,” “BLACK DEMARCO” (the two are merged into one striking, Tim Burton-animated video), and, most recently, new Don’t Be Dumb cut “FLACKITO JODYE” featuring Tokischa. The track was tacked on to the second disk of the project, along with “I Smoked Away My Brain (I’m God x Demons Mashup)”. Let’s just say, the high-octane new track and the nostalgic Imogen Heap and Clams Casino cut close out the project’s second disk in a whole new way.
The Grammys Performer Lineup
This year’s Grammy Awards performances are taking it to the next level. To start, all of the 2026 Best New Artist nominees will take the stage in a special Best New Artist segment; noms include Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, Sombr, and The Marías. Additionally, Sabrina Carpenter, Clipse, and Pharrell – the latter two in unison – are all confirmed to perform live at this year’s ceremony.
Fakemink Announces New EP Via Voice Note to Zane Lowe
It’s official. The commander of the UK underground’s new guard – otherwise known as fakemink – has confirmed that his new project is en route. First, he shared a voice note with Zane Lowe confirming his new studio project, Boy Who Cried Terrified is, in fact, “coming soon.” Just a few hours later, mink clarified a bit, taking to his @londonssaviour secondary Instagram account to specify some things; Boy Who Cried Terrified is an EP, that’s official, set to release everywhere next Friday, January 30. Then, we’ll get the full album, which is dubbed Terrified, and has yet to land a confirmed drop date.
Added to Playlist: “Last of a Dying Breed” – Joji
As Piss in the Wind nears, Joji has lifted the veil on the project’s fifth single.
Harry Styles Confirms Together, Together Tour – With Stellar Opening Act Slate
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Not only is Harry Styles going on a lengthy world tour – basically scheduling residencies in Amsterdam, London, São Paulo, Mexico City, Melbourne, Sydney, and New York City, where he’ll perform 30 nights at Madison Square Garden. As for the opening acts, there’s a different supporting talent for each location: Robyn, Shania Twain, Fcukers, Jorja Smith, Fousheé, Skye Newman, and Jamie xx, respectively.
Don Toliver Unleashes OCTANE Details
This is not a drill. We finally have an OCTANE release date. This week, the Cactus Jack rapper revealed his anticipated new project, OCTANE is coming next Friday, January 30. The album announcement came in a spooky monochromatic trailer, also paired with the lead single “ATM.”
Jhené Aiko Chefs Up Erewhon Smoothie
Now that’s a celebrity I’d trust to make a smoothie. Dubbed “The Westside Whimsy” smoothie, the songstress’s custom cold beverage is an ode to Californian wellness culture and consists of MALK coconut milk, Fruitist jumbo blueberries, and lavender water.
Added to Playlist: “scared” – Fred again.. x Young Thug
Backed by a sample of Thugger’s unreleased 2018 track, “Lucky.”
Denzel Curry Reveals The Scythe Supergroup, Spanning Ferg, TiaCorine, Bktherula and Key Nyeta
When I last linked up with Denzel Curry at Art Basel, there were rumblings of a collaborative Curry x Ferg release coming soon; I had no idea it would be of this caliber. Led by Curry himself, the rest of the supergroup consists of Ferg, along with TiaCorine, Bktherula, and Key Nyeta. With the collective’s first single out now – “LIT EFFECT” featuring LAZER DIM 700 – Curry revealed The Scythe’s plans to drop a full collaborative album dubbed Stricty 4 The Scythe, coming March 13.
Added to Playlist: “iPhone 16” – xaviersobased
Another banger from the young underground buck.
James Blake Announces Album
It was a good week for album announcements; James Blake also formally announced his imminent new project, Trying Times, paired with lead single “Death Of Love.” “Death Of Love” comes accompanied by a live music video, with Blake performing the new song in the middle of an office, with the help of the London Welsh Men’s Choir.
Lil Uzi Vert and JT at the Indiana vs. Miami Championship
I don’t know about you, but I haven’t been able to stop quoting the clips of Lil Uzi Vert and JT at the College Football National Championship.
The Don’t Be Dumb World Tour
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Kicking off on May 27 in Chicago and wrapping up on September 30 in Paris, tickets for the world tour go on sale January 27.
Kendrick Lamar‘s Section. 80’ Goes Platinum
About. Damn. Time.
Foggieraw Announces Debut Album, With No Due Respect
After teasing a handful of new tracks on his Instagram feed, the Ghanaian-born, Maryland-raised rapper has officially confirmed his new album is on the way. Entitled With No Due Respect, the project will release on streaming services on Friday, February 27.
IDK Releases New e.t.d.s Mixtape on CD
“When you buy an ETDS CD player, it comes with a bootleg mixtape which includes an unreleased song that no one else will have but you and I. Each player has its own unique bonus track/song,” the rapper wrote on his Instagram story. His new mixtape e.t.d.s., short for EVEN THE DEVIL SMILES, comes equipped with a fully functioning CD player. Also on streaming now, the tape features Pusha T, RZA, Black Thought, Joey Valence & Brae, OGI, and a posthumous appearance of DMX, with contributions from Kaytranada, Madlib, and Conductor Williams, among others.
