January 2026 - Music

After two years and some unforeseen delays, the Kid Laroi is finally ready to make a statement with what he tells Variety is a “personal and emotional” record. The 22 year-old Australian singer-songwriter announced his third studio album, “Before I Forget,” will be out Jan. 9 via Columbia Records on Thursday morning. The reveal arrived alongside a new R&B-tinged single, “A Perfect World.”

Laroi explains he had a different album that was completed and ready to hand in, however, “sonically and topically, it was extremely different than this one.” He adds, “It didn’t flow as well and I felt as if I grew out of it really quickly. I didn’t feel comfortable releasing it. Sonically, [‘Before I Forget’] a sadder, more emotional sounding album, I’d say. Something about it also feels a bit nostalgic.”

The album cover, shot by Thibaut Grevet in the South of France, features Laroi touching his lips as his head pokes out of a pool of cool-toned water. “When we were looking through all the photos it just stood out and screamed ‘this is the album.’ It looks like the album, feels like the album,” he says. “Something about that photo just feels personal and emotional… and that’s exactly what this album is!”