ANDRE 3000 Solo Album “New Blue Sun” – Everything We Know So Far
ANDRE 3000 Solo Album “New Blue Sun” – Everything We Know So Far
André “3000” Benjamin, a legendary figure in the music, fashion and art space has unveiled his debut solo album, “New Blue Sun,” set to be released this Friday, November 17th, 2023, via Epic Records. A departure from the conventional, this instrumental project co-produced by Benjamin and the skilled Carlos Niño invites listeners into a world where woodwinds take centre stage, creating a living, breathing, aural organism.
In a captivating conversation with NPR’s Rodney Carmichael on All Songs Considered, André 3000 sheds light on the creation of “New Blue Sun” and provides insight into his artistic journey. In a world where André 3000 is often glimpsed like a rare apparition, this album serves as a testament to his evolution as a musician and a seeker of creativity.
The wind, a crucial element in André’s musical repertoire, dances through this instrumental offering, featuring a stellar lineup of healing music players. Carlos Niño on a multitude of instruments, Nate Mercereau on guitar, and Surya Botofasina on keyboards join André, who plays various wind instruments, including a digital wind instrument, a Maya flute, and others crafted from wood and bamboo.
Contrary to expectations, “New Blue Sun” is entirely instrumental, with lengthy tracks and equally expansive titles. The album challenges preconceptions of ambient music, offering a bridge between hip-hop and New Age. André deliberately injects playfulness and rawness into the song titles, creating a balance that makes the music appealing to a broad audience.
With influences from Laraaji, Brian Eno, Alice Coltrane, Steve Reich, and Pharoah Sanders, “New Blue Sun” invites listeners to slow down, reset, and immerse themselves in a world of exploration. André’s vision extends beyond the ordinary, imagining a world with a blue sun that brings a different kind of warmth and lightness.
You might remember some time ago, Andre 3000 was often seen in public with his trusty flute and we’re certain this album will be an extension of this love letter to woodwind. The tracklist itself is a testament to André’s creativity, with titles like “I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time” and “The Slang Word P(*)ssy Rolls Off the Tongue with Far Better Ease Than the Proper Word Vagina. Do You Agree?” showcasing his playful approach to the music.
We’re excited to exactly what an ANDRE 3000 Solo Album sounds like in this new era and to experience the enchantment of “New Blue Sun” as André 3000 invites you to a world where music unfolds, and the air takes you on a mesmerising journey.