GRAMMYs 2025: New Blue Sun, André 3000

Only once in a blue moon do we see a musical phenomenon like a 13-times-Platinum rapper becoming a Grammy nominee for an ambient album guided by minimalistic reed melodies. Actually, I'm not sure that musical phenomenon has ever happened ever in the history of music - with the exception of André 3000's debut, New Blue Sun. In the 16 years since Outkast’s groundbreaking hiatus, fans of André 3000 have eagerly awaited more than just his sporadic, jaw-dropping guest verses or a solo hit that channels the energy of Outkast's "Hey Ya!". But now, André has made a complete 180 from his past. He's embraced a free-spirited, nomadic existence resulting in his stunningly modern 87-minute breath-of-fresh-air debut.

CREDIT: @ANDRE300 ON INSTAGRAM

New Blue Sun isn't a project that can be consumed, understood, and appreciated in the same way as most other albums. It isn't composed to be "popular" or classic, but rather a beautiful listening adventure.

Despite its over-hour runtime, the album is composed of only eight tracks, averaging in length at about 11 minutes. Those tracks are an extension of the uninhibited atmosphere of the record with titles like "I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a 'Rap' Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time" and "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." Each track is so long and explorative that they really don't present as individual songs, but rather as pieces to this ambient, meditative composition.

New Blue Sun is a simplistically enjoyable musical experience. It's a mental respite, balancing electronic, jazz, afro, and new age seamlessly. The tracks do all somewhat blend together, but that creates the immersiveness of the project as a whole. A huge part of the story of the conception of New Blue Sun is the flute, and André 3000 masterfully allows it to shine, as carefully selected reed melodies rise over the rest of the synthy, earthy sonic.

Perhaps best paired with an Erewhon smoothie and a hot-stone massage, New Blue Sun is a simplistically sunny sensation, full of the most pleasant of surprises from start to finish.

GRAMMY FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR

This is not an album that is posed for winning the most coveted of music awards. But it is absolutely deserving of its nomination in this category as well as its nominations for Best Instrumental Composition and Alternative Jazz Album. New Blue Sun has an incredible story behind it that makes it a concept that would grab the attention of the Grammy committee. But it takes a little bit more than just a great back story and solid, good, inventive music to win Album of the Year, so hopefully it can take a win in either the Jazz or Instrumental categories.

AM I OBSESSED?

RATING: OBSESSED WITH SOME TRACKS