New Blue Sun - Andre 3000
Andre 3000
is famous, quite obviously, for being a rapper. The ATL legend served as one half of Outkast one of the best and most influential rap groups of all time. But since the pair called it quits between them Andre has been remarkably quite musically only making a handful of appearances in the nearly 20 years since. Though he is surprising fans with his long-awaited debut solo album its definitely not the album that many fans were hoping for. New Blue Sun is a long and very indulgent ambient jazz album which prominently features Andre playing flute alongside a variety of expansive and occasionally quite minimal compositions.
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I had a lot of thoughts on this album before I even got the chance to hear it. Unlike a lot of the more idiotic rap fans online I don't hold any resentment against Andre for going in this direction artistically as he's always been very clear with fans on where their expectations for a new album should actually be set. But as someone who loves ambient music and ambient jazz and has covered some of the most significant releases in the genre this decade, I was curious whether or not Andre would ever surpass the feeling of playing genre dress-up.
I won't break down this album is every inch of its dynamic compositional detail, but I'm happy to point out some highlights. The Slang Word P*ssy is my favorite track of the bunch as it sees the record indulging in its most heightened mysticism. The most abstract composition and naturalistic sounds feel like a guiding path through the song that allows you to get completely lost in it.
The Night In Hawaii grew on me with repeat listens. I definitely thought at first that it took its time in the wrong way, but once I got a more full vision of the song I began to appreciate it a lot more. The conclusion is reaches across the final few minutes is one of the best points on the entire album. In contrast to the album's naturalism on the first half, Ghandi has a much more alien effect. A lot of its sounds might feel naturalistic if you're not paying attention but its almost like they don't full cross the uncanny valley. The present pulsating flute and eerie background tone never really allow the song to settle into familiarity.
But much like the album has moments that I find compelling, it often indulges in long runs that are far less interesting. Opening track I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A "Rap" Album does start off okay but the more it rises the more it looses its serenity. With some of the very involved flute diatribes to moments of awkward instrumentation like crashing cymbals there's often something to take you out of the atmosphere of the song, which feels like a distraction from the point. Closing track Dreams Once Buried is probably the most minimal song on the album in both compositions and orchestration. That combined with the fact that its a 17 minute finale to the record can sometimes feel like a deliberate ploy to get you to turn the album off. There are certainly moments on the song worth sticking around for, in particular a wonderful diatribe around the 11 minute mark. But she sheer excess here is too obvious.
New Blue Sun isn't exactly a modern ambient jazz classic. What I really appreciate is Andre 3000's willingness to expand his musical comfort zone so far from where he originated. Plus the album does have some genuinely wonderful moments and entrancing songs. But too often he feels like he's walking through very familiar territory or occasionally even evading interest entirely. This is a curiosity that's definitely worth indulging with, especially for rap fans looking to expand their horizons. But ambient fans won't find much here to challenge them. 6/10
For more ambient check out my reviews of some of the genre's legends here
