André 3000, an artist known for his participation in the band Outkast, released a solo 87-minute album of eight spontaneous compositions of songs on Nov. 17. After 17 years of the band’s absence, Andre dropped this lyricless album centered solely on woodwinds instruments. Unlike popular music or his preceding career of rap, he took a divergent path into his creative evolution by creating this without verses by focusing on instrumentals for a theme of rebirth.
Before releasing the album, Andre had been on a journey throughout the ins and outs of the world. He relocated from Atlanta to Los Angeles where he met some experimental artists to collaborate. He claims jazz influenced his passion into this genre of music.
In his search for inspiration, he went throughout the streets to be confronted by fans in a “Where’s Waldo?” fashion that asked him to play for them.
After some time, he released his meditative and therapeutic debut album. The tunes provide an emotional, natural background to listeners that soothes the soul. These songs are perfect to underlie the mood in a yoga session, a Sunday afternoon on a hammock, or a brisk autumn walk down the street. Without any bars, beats, or sub-bass, it is decently peaceful.
Fascinating and peculiar titles are addressed to each long-coursed EPs. He titles a few as, “BuyPoloDisorder’s Daughter Wears a 3000Ⓡ Shirt Embroidered,” and, “Dreams Once Buried Beneath The Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout Into Undying Gardens.”
Personally, I feel his song, “That Night in Hawaii When I turned Into A panther And Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn’t Control… Sh¥t Was Wild” is what I imagine when thinking about what goes on in a tribal sacrifice. Andre reports that it was influenced by an ayahuasca trip which does not surprise me from the song’s chaotic upbringing.
For “Ants to You, Gods To Who ?”, the song reminds me of a windchime on your frontporch that sings melodically whenever the wind passively strikes through the air. Another interpretation is the foreshadowing, suspenseful music used in television like that of Scooby Doo in the prison island episode.
“Ghandi, Dalai Lama, Your Lord & Savior J.C./Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy” is the strangest combination of words yet. With a desert vibe to it, sounds of a Saharan wilderness hunting trip.
To this date, millions have streamed each song already. In accordance to the hype revolving around his drop, fans have hopped onto his release quickly. During one of his interviews he gives some advice to those who are searching for purpose or pushing through the anxieties of life.
“Learn how to ride the roller coaster. The best thing you can do is learn how to ride the roller coaster with your hands up,” said André.
Next time there is a void of quietness, bluetooth the Spotify to the JBL speaker and blast his revolutionary album.
