While sharing news of her new album Empathogen, Willow Smith just gave us a new look — and trust us, you are not ready

PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 01: Willow Smith is seen, outside Vetements, during the Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024/25 as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 01, 2024 in Paris, France.

Photo: Edward Berthelot (Getty Images)

One of our favorite nepo babies, Willow Smith, just dropped the news of new music and merch with album art that set the internet on fire. Smith shared the news of a presale for her new album Empathogen with her 11.5 million followers in an April 18 Instagram post. The album drops May 3, but word of the highly-anticipated tracks by the “Meet Me At Our Spot” singer already has fans buzzing online.

“album on repeat & it’s not even out yet” and “Lemme go on ahead and get the whole outfit and vinyl 😩😩😩😩” were just some of the comments from excited fans.

But even more than the music, people can’t stop talking about Willow’s look for the album cover – a complete 180 from her perfectly polished Paris Fashion Week looks just over a month ago.

PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 28: Willow Smith attends the Acne Studios Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on February 28, 2024 in Paris, France.

Photo: Pierre Mouton (Getty Images)

This time, Smith is all smiles in a stripped-down version of herself – minimal makeup, untamed brows and an afro. And as far as clothing and accessories, there’s not a whole lot to see. She’s rocking her nose ring, posts in her ears, grillz in her mouth, and well, not much else.

Another image shows the artist in her birthday suit sitting on top of a speaker.

Smith is getting lots of credit for her creativity.

“It’s giving Minnie Ripperton and Esperanza Spalding 🔥🔥🔥🙌🏿” and “One of the most creative people on the planet ✨,” wrote users in the comments.

She even got a nod from Questlove, who gave the artist her flowers for pushing boundaries on Instagram.

“Shout out to @willowsmith for allowing herself to evolve into this artist. Doing all the things artists over the years have told me they wanted to do but were too afraid to because we been told odd time signatures don’t work or @gentlegiantband level prog rock song structure (blink and you missed it codas & bridges coming outta nowhere) might be too much for the “average listener” to consume or to lyrically go to this vulnerable place that we might think will get us ridiculed,” he wrote.

But some of her internet aunties and uncles aren’t here for the new, stripped down version of Willow, leaving comments like:

“Am not to judge, but okay on behalf of all the parents in the world 🌍 will yo daughter…..???,” “Willow why why why, you know better this isn’t it. Keep up” and “Why do y’all feel the need to be naked ?”

One thing’s for sure, Willow Smith is going to keep doing her and we can’t to see what’s next.