Questlove has shared his thoughts on André 3000’s upcoming comeback album, describing it as “good medicine.”
Earlier this week (November 14), the former OutKast rapper shared details about his first solo album in 17 years. The 87-minute record is said to consist of experimental flute music, and the rapper has said that it is not a rap album, although there is even a label on the cover indicating that it contains “no bars.”
The album, titled “New Blue Sun,” will be released on Friday (November 17). Pre-order the album here.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Questlove shared his excitement for the new project, writing, “Man – critics often ask, ‘What song do you wish you had written that another artist would have done?'” The answer is always [OutKast’s] “SpottieOttieDopealiscious,” but man – that was next level.”
“I’m no stranger to the Departure album,” The Roots drummer continued. “I even taught about them my first two years at NYU (Sgt Peppers/Dirty Mind/Paul’s Boutique/Pet Sounds/There’s A Riot Goin On/Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants/Pinkerton/Awaken My Love/Slow Train Coming ). /Here My Dear) – albums the complete opposite of what the artist is known for.”
“I knew that 3000 pine corner was a left turn, but I didn’t know it was the RIGHT left turn. To all you newbie meditation/microdosing/“time out for me before I hurt someone” people trying to do better – THIS is good medicine music for you.”
“I’ve always said, ‘One day I’ll make the ambient record I’d love to sleep and dream to,'” he added, concluding, “Thanks @andre3000 #NewBlueSun.”
It is reported that André will play various woodwind instruments in “New Blue Sun”, including double bass flute, Mayan flutes, bamboo flutes and other digital wind instruments.
“I was always kind of analyzing it or figuring out how I wanted to approach it… I have to be happy to share it,” André 3000 told NPR about his approach to a new solo album.
“That’s why I realized ‘New Blue Sun’ was like that. I really want people to hear it. I really want to share it. That is my only standard. I have to like it as a person, as an artist myself, because if I don’t like it, I can’t expect no one else to like it. I can’t do it like that. That was always difficult for me.”
He also revealed that the album title is intended to reference a sun in a parallel universe, reflecting how the album marks “a new world” and “a new direction” in his music.
Since his last album with OutKast, 2006’s Idlewild, André 3000 had distanced himself from making music. Instead, he contributed guest verses to various tracks and focused on his acting career.
The closest he came to a solo album was “The Love Below,” from OutKast’s 2003 double LP Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.
Speculation about the album began earlier this summer when Killer Mike revealed in an interview that the artist was working on a new project. The topic came up when Killer Mike was promoting his collaboration with the artist on the track “Scientists & Engineers.”