What's New? was recorded in the same session as Sonny's Time, on March 22, 1962, with the same quartet: Don Cherry on piano, Henry Grimes on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. Produced by George Avakian, the album came from the same creative vein as its companion, but with a different repertoire. The recording was equally spontaneous, reflecting the group's chemistry.
The sound of What's New? is similar to Sonny's Time, with a focus on free improvisation and harmonic exploration. Songs like 'What's New?' and 'If I Should Lose You' show Rollins reinterpreting standards with a modern sensibility. The interaction with Cherry is particularly interesting, as his unconventional piano style adds a layer of unpredictability.
What's New? has often been overshadowed by The Bridge, but is appreciated for its energy and its connection to the free jazz movement. Its legacy is that of a document of Rollins' experimentation in the early 1960s, and it has gained recognition as a valuable work within his catalog.