Ty Tries to Listen to Andre 3000's Flute Record

After a long, long time away, Andre 3000 released a new album today, "New Blue Sun". I was very excited when I heard that he was putting out new music. He hasn't done this in forever. He has shown up on some other songs here and there, but not anything in the way of it all being him. I think the last full length record he put out was "Idlewild", which is better than I remembered it being. So when the news was announced, I let myself get excited.

Then I saw people talking about their experience with the new record. I also have seen many pictures of him in China and Japan. These are the same pictures that show him carrying around flutes. I just assumed he was trying this instrument out for fun.

He was not.

This new record is not a rap record. It is not a rock record. It is not like what he did on "The Love Below". This is experimental, weird and jazzy. This record, I have only heard two songs so far, is totally out of left field. There are eight tracks on this album, but the runtime is nearly 90 minutes. I put on the record on my way to the store today thinking I could listen to a few of the new tracks. I didn't even finish the first song before I got home. The first track is over 12 minutes long. The second song is over 13 minutes long. I finished that one while prepping some kimchi. I will say, there were moments within these first two songs that I was vibing out to. Andre 3000 can really play the flute. But when I was listening I felt like Milhouse and the fireworks factory. I kept waiting for something to kick in. I was hoping that he would maybe sing a bit, and maybe he will when I go back and finish the album. But so far it is an instrumental jazz flute record.

Look, Andre 3000 is a genius. I love his work with Outkast and his features. I have come to the realization that he may be the greatest emcee to ever do it. He is an amazing musical artist. But I'm really struggling with this record two songs in. It is ambient. It is experimental. It's jazz. These are genres and musical styles that have never really been for me. I get that some people genuinely love these styles, and this album is definitely for them. But right now, for me, this just isn't my thing. I am going to keep listening to try and almost force myself to understand what Andre 3000 was trying to accomplish. I feel like he did this album for himself and decided he wanted to see what other people thought of it. And that is totally fine and Andre 3000 has earned the right to do whatever he wants to do. But this is just not my thing. I'm not into jazz. I like the fact that he is trying something different, something way out there. But so far it is not for me. Maybe it will be one day when I get smarter when I listen to music. But right now it is a tough, grueling listen. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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