The R&B group the Internet are close to finishing their fifth studio album, due for release in early 2027, according to singer Syd. The announcement comes amid a busy summer for the band, following solo album releases from Syd, Steve Lacy and drummer Chris Crispy on 17 July, and marks a shift in the group's usual creative process as well as a change to their line-up.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Syd said bandmate Matt Martians took the lead on songwriting this time, freeing the others to focus on their solo projects, and praised the results as "super fire". The band has also lost bassist Patrick Paige II, who has departed to pursue a solo career, but has brought in bassist Simba Scott and keyboardist Daniel Abraham Jr, both of whom already tour and record with Syd's solo outfit. The group planned to record their final two songs in Los Angeles over the summer before Syd departs in late August for the European leg of her solo Beard tour.