Everyone knows Outkast, made up of André 3000 and Big Boi, make rap music together. Notice how I specifically pointed out that they made rap music. They made very good rap music, their albums set out to define 90s hip hop and play as inspiration for future rappers. Hits like “Ms. Jackson” and “Hey-Ya” live on, and their artistic impact cannot be overstated.
However, Outkast is no more. The two rappers went their separate ways and now lead active solo careers. When you are working with someone, you work together and sometimes must compromise. So, what does a modern day André 3000—once again, an iconic rapper—come up with now that he is by himself?
Enter New Blue Sun, André 3000’s experimental flute album.
From the very first track, one thing becomes obvious: the musician keeps things blunt. Opener “I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A “Rap” Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time,” sets the tone of the entire album, providing airy instrumentation and a rolling vinyl-esque soundscape in the back. Slow cymbals and crashes move throughout the track, making for a listening experience like a musical jungle—making one’s way down a path whilst meeting distractions both near and far.
When André first introduces his flute, he picks his notes carefully, as if he’s testing to see where he fits in the world he has created. The melody he dots out in the first few tracks recalls naked notes; he makes simple gestures feel grand by virtue of their accumulation. Throughout New Blue Sun, this tends to be his approach, whether he’s setting the theme or exploring its variations. The notation is minimal, and he repeats short and uncomfortable phrases until they begin to sound right. He dips, brushes and dabs in “The Slang Word P*ssy Rolls Off The Tongue With Far Better Ease Than The Proper Word Vagina. Do You Agree?,” until finally tracing a few fine, confident lines at the top of the canvas.
Listeners of the album should definitely approach with an open mind. New Blue Sun demands undivided attention and focus from its audience. As weird as the album might be, André is doing something right.