PartyNextDoor Reveals 'P4' Release Date During Billboard SXSW Headlining Set

PartyNextDoor saved the best for last.

At the end of his 60-minute headlining set, the singer, songwriter and producer finally announced the release date of his upcoming fourth studio album. PartyNextDoor4. “Thank you all for showing up tonight,” Party said as he exited the stage, “P4 is coming soon.” Seconds later, fans learned how soon the onstage screens flashed “PARTYNEXTDOOR 4, APRIL 26, 2024,” alerting the audience that the release of his next album was just over a month away.

One of the biggest challenges in performing a catalog like Party's is playing through hits that include other artists who aren't present without feeling like something is missing from the show. And though neither Drake, Summer Walker, nor Ye were at the show — despite hopeful rumors that Drake, who had his own concert in San Antonio, just 90 minutes south of Austin, that same night — the Party made sure it wasn't their absence I felt. It's a feat he accomplished, in part, thanks to four expert dancers who shared the stage with the star. As his bigger tracks blared through the speakers, they kept the energy high — and the crowd engaged.

Like the dancers, Party's band delivered high energy that kept the show moving and helped fill the venues when Party left for a quick breather. But one moment stood out among the rest: at the end of Drake's “Recognize,” Party's guitarist took center stage, destroying the song's outro. It was a powerful moment that gave the show a dynamic feel, bridging the gap between an R&B performance and rock stadium act.

True Party fans know he's one of the co-writers behind Rihanna's smash hit “Work,” imbuing the song with the same Caribbean flair that defines much of his own discography. But it was a pleasant surprise – judging by the roaring crowd – when Party chose to include his own live rendition of the track in his setlist. He kept it similar to the recording released by Rihanna, but ended with a twist – a minute-long drum solo.

Last May, Party played its first show in Toronto in seven years. And since the return of live music after the pandemic, he's only appeared at a handful of festivals (and some college shows) — but it's all part of the plan. As his manager, Tyler Henry, said on the Party stream Advertising sign cover story, “We like to do a few every year to make sure we're fresh and on people's minds. It keeps us sharp when a moment like this album comes along.” And given the packed auditorium and fervent screams echoing from the crowd, it's a strategy that certainly works in his favor.