Even though Grammys Week is in full swing, the music scene is not slowing down.

A myriad of anticipated long-form releases materialized from both the mainstream and the underground; Don Toliver and Jordan Ward both unveiled anticipated LPs, along with studio albums from ZUKENEE and xaviersobased. Fakemink also made it into the mix with his recently announced The Boy Who Cried Terrified.

Find the full January 2026 playlist below, and this week’s top music moments underneath.

Don Toliver Drives It Home on OCTANE

The day has come. After a whirlwind of a rollout – that happened super slow and then all at once – Don Toliver’s fifth studio album is here at last. Arriving about a year and a half after its predecessor HARDSTONE PSYCHO, the rapper’s fifth studio album has materialized at last. Toliver recorded the album in full at Mount Wilson Observatory in California. Features are hidden (at the time of writing, at least), but listen closely for cameos from Yeat and Travis Scott, as expected, as well as Rema, Sahbabii, and Teezo Touchdown.

Thundercat Announces First Album in Six Years

When it rains, it pours – and where there’s a Thundercat single, there’s likely more music on the way. After six (!!) years, his new opus, Distracted, drops in just a few months. The musician’s return to the scene is a true family affair. Due out on April 3, Distracted includes appearances from Channel Tres, Tame Impala, A$AP Rocky, WILLOW, and, on lead single “I Did This To Myself,” Lil Yachty. Most notably, though, a previously unreleased Mac Miller collaboration will appear on the tracklist. As for backing beats, production comes from a stellar trifecta: Flying Lotus, Kenneth Blume (aka Kenny Beats), and The Lemon Twigs. “Sometimes you need to be distracted to focus in a different way,” Thundercat declares of the imminent project, which is slated to explore the tension and juxtaposition of overstimulation and introspection in today’s digital era of socialization.

Fakemink Finalizes The Boy Who Cried Terrified

The fronting face of the UK underground has delivered on his promise; after vaguely unveiling plans to drop a project entitled The Boy Who Cried Terrified via a sent-in voice memo on the Zane Lowe Show last week, fakemink has formally dropped off his first longform studio endeavor since 2023’s London Saviour. Clocking in at seven tracks, early favorites include “fml .,” which samples Burial’s “Rival Dealer” (as well as Tyler, The Creator’s “Igor’s Theme,” and Gavin DeGraw as a co-writer??), and, a la the album’s cover art, “MR CHOW.”

Jordan Ward Drops BACKWARD

The soulful St. Louis singer steps back into his zone for the follow-up to FORWARD, aptly entitled BACKWARD. Produced entirely by Lido, Jordan Ward’s new project ushers in the latest chapter of his creative evolution, leveled up by sharp, scattered features from SAILORR on single “SMOKIN POTNA,” as well as Smino and TiaCorine on the last two “bonus “tracks. Otherwise, it’s entirely solo – something Ward clearly has no issue with.

Added to Playlist: “Dice Roll” – Lelo

New Detroit’s very own continues to bet on himself, further carving out his own lane with new single “Dice Roll.”

LISA’s Custom Nike Gato Fit

Shortly after signing on with the Nike Family, LISA wore her pride for the label on her sleeve. Or should I say, all over her body. For her recent performance in Hong Kong, the BLACKPINK star took the stage in a full one-of-one Nike Gato sneaker outfit.

Added to Playlist: “Bet” – Pimmie

Drake put a lot of us onto Pimmie with “PIMMIE’S DILEMMA” on SOME SEXY SONGS 4 U; the songstress proves she can hold her own just as solidly on sleek new single “Bet.”

J. Cole’s Surprise Storm: Birthday Blizzard ’26

As The Fall-Off nears, J. Cole let us in on some more new music ahead of the anticipated project. Earlier in the week, the rapper lifted the veil on a quick yet heated four-track run, featuring a freestyle where he lays it all out on the table. Like, it all.

Added to Playlist: “Boyfriend In Yo Brain” – Foggieraw

With his debut album inching close, Foggieraw flexes his fine-tuned pen and artistic adaptability with another promising pre-release single.

Added to Playlist: “FLOW STATE” – $NOT

A mindless playlist addition.

ZUKENEE Brings The Heat to 2026 with ZUMINATI

ZUKENEE’s name is one you’re going to want to keep a close eye on this year. In 2024, he delivered two compelling tapes: SLAYTANIC and NIGHT SHIFT. He’s clearly got a lot more in the tank, as his first project of 2026 followed up NIGHT SHIFT by just over two months.

xaviersobased Unleashes Xavier

One of the most influential sonic shapers of the stateside underground landscape, xaviersobased has unveiled his namesake project, which clocks in at 20 songs, and features appearances from Osamason, Zaytoven, and Rio Da Yung OG.

Kid Cudi Reveals Rebel Ragers Tour Dates

After breaking his leg and cancelling his last tour, Kid Cudi is plotting his return to the stage.  Kicking off in April and running through the end of June, the Rebel Ragers Tour features support from special guests: M.I.A., Big Boi, A-Trak, me n ü and Dot Da Genius.

Charli XCX‘s The Moment Is … The Moment

Complete with a full score by A.G. Cook.