New Blue Sun André 3000, the Grammy-winning rapper and producer best known for his work with the hip-hop duo Outkast, released his first solo album in 17 years on November 17, 2023. Titled New Blue Sun, the album is a departure from Outkast's signature sound, as it is entirely instrumental and features no rapping or singing. The album consists of 87 minutes of ambient woodwind compositions, with André 3000 playing flute, contrabass flute, Mayan flutes, and bamboo flutes, along with other digital wind instruments. The music has been praised for its beauty, minimalism, and experimental nature. New Blue Sun has been met with critical acclaim. Pitchfork gave the album an 8.0 out of 10, calling it "a stunning and unexpected masterpiece" and "a testament to Andre 3000's boundless creativity." NPR wrote that the album is "a mind-bending, minimalist, and transcendent work of art" that "showcases Andre 3000's mastery of the flute." The New York Times praised the album for its "celebratory piece of work in the form of a living, breathing, aural organism." New Blue Sun has not been a commercial success, but it has not been a failure either. The album debuted at number 108 on the Billboard 200 chart, and it has sold over 10,000 copies in the United States. The album has been met with some controversy, as some fans have expressed disappointment that it is not a hip-hop album. Others have criticized the album for its length and its lack of rapping or singing. However, the album has also been praised by many fans, who appreciate its experimental nature and its exploration of new sounds. New Blue Sun is a significant release for André 3000, as it is his first solo album in 17 years. It is also a significant release for the music industry, as it is a major departure from the mainstream hip-hop sound. The album has been praised for its beauty, originality, and experimental nature, and it is sure to be remembered as a groundbreaking work of art. New Blue Sun is a stunning and ambitious album that showcases Andre 3000's versatility and creativity. It is a departure from his previous work, but it is no less impressive. The album is sure to appeal to fans of ambient music, experimental music, and hip-hop alike. Thanks for listening to Quiet Please. Remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts.