In what feels like a big musical curveball, André 3000 (the guy you probably remember from Outkast, Jimi: All Is By My Side and his impromptu flute sessions across cities), is dropping his solo debut album, New Blue Sun, this Friday 17th November.
But here’s the surprise: it’s all about the flute.
Moving away from the rap game that made him a household name, André’s venturing into uncharted territories with an instrumental album. He said, in an NPR Music interview: “I have songs, but it’s not like rap things that I really feel happy about sharing. And really, that’s the most important part. I have to feel happy about sharing it,” adding that New Blue Sun hit the right note for him.
READ MORE: Frank Ocean and the burden of perfectionism | How long is too long to wait for an album?
This unexpected album results from free-flowing jam sessions with fellow musicians like keyboardist Alice Coltrane’s disciple Surya Botofasina and multi-instrumentalist Nate Mercereau. After ditching New York for Los Angeles, André started hanging out with a younger crowd who didn’t pigeonhole him by his past.
Young guns Frank Ocean and Tyler, the Creator, played a significant part in this album’s journey. André values their feedback, saying: “I respect them as musicians. Like new energy; they’re going for it, man. So I really respect their opinions. I play it for my homies. I play it for friends, play it for artists, directors — just to see their reaction more than anything. So I was just happy with what I was getting.”
André’s flute talents aren’t just confined to the studio; he’s been weaving magic into Hollywood soundtracks and even a comedy-drama called Showing Up.
So, what can you expect from New Blue Sun? Here’s a sneak peek at the tracklist that’s as quirky as it is intriguing:
New Blue Sun Tracklist:
‘I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A “Rap” Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time’
‘The Slang Word P(*)ssy Rolls Off The Tongue With Far Better Ease Than The Proper Word Vagina. Do You Agree?’
‘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’
‘BuyPoloDisorder’s Daughter Wears A 3000™ Button Down Embroidered’
‘Ninety Three ‘Til Infinity And Beyoncé’
‘Ghandi, Dalai Lama, Your Lord & Savior J.C. / Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, And John Wayne Gacy
Ants To You, Gods To Who?’
‘Dreams Once Buried Beneath The Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout Into Undying Gardens’
Keep up to date with the best in UK music by following us on Instagram: @whynowworld and on Twitter/X: @whynowworld
