André 3000 is making a triumphant – and surprise – solo return with his first album in 17 years, New Blue Sun. An entirely instrumental album, New Blue Sun is void of lyrics and instead spotlights André’s woodwind work; described as “a celebratory piece of work in the form of a living, breathing, aural organism,” the ethereal flute-heavy offering is evocative of the Outkast musician’s new era.
“I’ve been interested in winds for a long time, so it was just a natural progression for me to go into flutes,” André explained in a statement. “I just like messing with instruments and I gravitated mostly toward wind.” New Blue Sun sees André play a digital wind instrument, a Maya flute, and others made of wood and bamboo. The album also features Carlos Niño on bells, chimes, cymbals, drums, gongs, plants and percussion; Nate Mercereau on guitar, guitar synth, and live sampling; and Surya Botofasina on keyboards and synthesizers.
“I think people feel like I’m sitting around on rap albums, or sitting around and I’m just not putting them out in that way. And no it’s not like that,” the musician continues. “In my mind, I really would like to make a rap album. So maybe that happens one day, but I got to find a way to say what I want to say in an interesting way that’s appealing to me at this age.”
New Blue Sun, André’s first full-length since Outkast’s 2006 Outkast LP Idlewild, also sees long-running tracks with long-winded titles; the opening song is 12 minutes long. Find the full tracklist listed below.
1. I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A “Rap” Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time
2. The Slang Word P(*)ssy Rolls Off The Tongue With Far Better Ease Than The Proper Word Vagina . Do You Agree?
3. That Night In Hawaii When I Turned Into A Panther And Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn’t Control … Sh¥t Was Wild
4. BuyPoloDisorder’s Daughter Wears A 3000™ Button Down Embroidered
5. Ninety Three ‘Til Infinity And Beyoncé
6. Ghandi, Dalai Lama, Your Lord & Savior J.C. / Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, And John Wayne Gacy
7. Ants To You, Gods To Who ?
8. Dreams Once Buried Beneath The Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout Into Undying Gardens
New Blue Sun lands on streaming this Friday, November 17.
Elsewhere in major music news, Drake and J. Cole are going on tour together next year.
