Flaphead

1y

Some thoughts now that I've had a couple of spins of this:

First of all, if any of you are enjoying this and haven't heard Promises by Floating Points & Pharaoh Sanders, give it a listen. Probably the closest a***ogue that I can think of, and I find myself putting this on in similar "background music while I cook or to play along to for practice" contexts to what I did when that project first dropped.

Artistic reasonings aside, I think calling this an André 3000 solo project was a misstep. This is as much a showcase of his collaboration with the other players as his own contributions, and frankly I think it would've both elevated their profiles to be listed and primed the public for something MUCH different. He can explain all he wants, but there are only so many of us who actually listened to the interviews let's be real.

All of that said, though—this is a damn good listen and a very solid project on its own merits. I really think his flute stands up alongside the players he's playing off of, which was the biggest relief personally. This is where his passion currently lies, and I'm grateful he felt able and inclined to express it in this way. Easily one of the most unexpected releases of the year and I'd say the gamble paid off.

TheGhost

1y

And no, Pitchfork wouldn't have given it an 8.3 if it weren't 3k, it's just white dudes at pitchfork being pretentious and fake woke

Flaphead

1y

Some thoughts now that I've had a couple of spins of this:

First of all, if any of you are enjoying this and haven't heard Promises by Floating Points & Pharaoh Sanders, give it a listen. Probably the closest a***ogue that I can think of, and I find myself putting this on in similar "background music while I cook or to play along to for practice" contexts to what I did when that project first dropped.

Artistic reasonings aside, I think calling this an André 3000 solo project was a misstep. This is as much a showcase of his collaboration with the other players as his own contributions, and frankly I think it would've both elevated their profiles to be listed and primed the public for something MUCH different. He can explain all he wants, but there are only so many of us who actually listened to the interviews let's be real.

All of that said, though—this is a damn good listen and a very solid project on its own merits. I really think his flute stands up alongside the players he's playing off of, which was the biggest relief personally. This is where his passion currently lies, and I'm grateful he felt able and inclined to express it in this way. Easily one of the most unexpected releases of the year and I'd say the gamble paid off.

MrMudManMood

1y

Amazing

Which books?

TheGhost

1y

And no, Pitchfork wouldn't have given it an 8.3 if it weren't 3k, it's just white dudes at pitchfork being pretentious and fake woke

Titan 13

1y

I tried in the car. I really did. My favorite rapper of all time.

Just absolutely not for me, especially in the car.

I can see it being enjoyable while meditating, reading, or falling asleep. I don't really listen to music while reading or sleeping though, and I don't meditate lol.

I do work from home though. I might try to put this on while I'm writing.

Track 1 and 4 sounded best on my first listen.

splice

1y

it’s rare that any reviews are 100% about the actual music. context is important in any form of art

Jonboi

1y

If u don’t typically enjoy ambient music, I’m not sure why a person would be surprised they don’t like it

TheGhost

1y

pretentious*

TheGhost

1y

remember when lil wayne made a 'rock' album? yeah, it f***in sucked just like this does, both are primarily rappers, that's their bag that they obviously talented at, no one wants to hear you play a guitar or a flute

if you were honest with yourself

wayne's guitar playing is on the same level as andre 3k flute playing skills

both trash

this ain't stevie wonder with a harmonica.

Raplic Priest

1y

Perfect work album

Titan 13

1y

I'm not surprised in the slightest. But I tried with an open mind.

Palestinian Oozi

1y

Huge 3000 fan.

I’ve sat with this album a few days now. I’ve listened to it in the background of my office while working on my engineering projects and then when I’m editing film photography for fun. I think it really works in that setting for me.

That said, I don’t think the album aims to be some sort of statement piece nor the center of attention like we usually consume music as. I didn’t feel immersed in every moment of the album. The album’s purpose in my opinion seems to be a sort of retreat by 3000. That has a negative connotation to it, but I fully believe retreating with this kind of album and lowering the stakes/expectations was by design, especially given his interviews in the past decade or so.

“Ants to You, Gods to Who” is incredible to me tho. I won’t exaggerate and say the entire album holds to that level for me personally, but it is really beautiful as just something to have on when you’re working on things and being creative. Album worked best for me when I was looking through old film from trips to Palestine. Haha, I know that’s a super weird niche but it did sound like a good score to that for me personally.