Questlove usually lets his drumsticks do the talking, but André 3000’s upcoming album was enough for him to switch mediums of expression while conveying just how highly he thinks of the project.
On Tuesday (November 14), soon after the OutKast legend announced his first solo LP that’s due out later this week, The Roots co-founder took to social media to offer his thoughts on the “next level” instrumental tracklist and stir up anticipation for it.
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“I am no stranger to the ‘departure album’ […] albums the complete opposite of what the artist is known for” he wrote on Instagram. “I knew this 3000 jawn was a left turn but I didn’t know it’s the RIGHT left turn.”
Referring to the new record as “good medicine,” he added: “I always said ‘one day imma make the ambient record I’d love to sleep and dream to’ (btw, watching violent shit/sleeping to news/sleeping in stressful environment takes years off your life—-so this is why I invest heavy in stuff like this.)
“thank you @andre3000 #NewBlueSun”
The elusive Southern legend made a surprise return to social media earlier this week to reveal that his new project, New Blue Sun, will drop on Friday (November 17).
It will serve as Three Stacks’ first official solo album, although he did release a disc of his own material on OutKast’s Grammy-winning 2003 double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.
Earlier this week, NPR published an interview with the 48-year-old legend in which he discussed the upcoming record as well as the woodwind instrument that is central to its sound.
He shared that New Blue Sun is not a rap record. In fact, it doesn’t even feature any vocals from him. Instead, it’s “a stunning 87-minute mind-bender, minimalist and experimental, tribal and transcendent” that finds the reclusive rap icon showcasing his talents on a range of flutes.
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There are no guest appearances from fellow Hip Hop heavyweights either, though jazz musicians such as Carlos Niño, Surya Botofasina and Nate Mercereau have contributed to the tracklist.
