Why the andre 3000 new blue sun tracklist is actually a genius move

Why the andre 3000 new blue sun tracklist is actually a genius move

So, let’s be real for a second. When you heard André 3000 was finally dropping a solo album after nearly two decades, you probably expected some rapid-fire bars, maybe a bit of that southern fried funk, and definitely some lyrics that would change your life. Instead, we got flutes. Lots of flutes.

The andre 3000 new blue sun tracklist isn't just a list of songs; it’s basically a series of long-winded, self-aware, and slightly chaotic essays. Honestly, the titles are so long they almost double as the lyrics he refused to record. If you haven’t seen them yet, they’re a wild ride. We’re talking about tracks that sound like midwest emo song titles from 2005 mixed with a spiritual awakening at a health food store.

It’s weird. It’s bold. It’s André.

The andre 3000 new blue sun tracklist: What’s actually on there?

The album, which dropped in late 2023, features eight tracks. Most of them are massive, stretching well past the ten-minute mark. If you’re looking for a quick three-minute radio hit, you’ve come to the wrong place. This is "stare at the ceiling and think about your life" music.

Here is what the andre 3000 new blue sun tracklist actually looks like:

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  • I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A "Rap" Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time (12:20)
  • The Slang Word P(*)ssy Rolls Off The Tongue With Far Better Ease Than The Proper Word Vagina. Do You Agree? (13:50)
  • 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 (10:29)
  • BuyPoloDisorder's Daughter Wears A 3000® Shirt Embroidered (13:05)
  • Ninety Three 'Til Infinity And Beyoncé (3:49)
  • Ghandi, Dalai Lama, Your Lord & Savior J.C. / Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, And John Wayne Gacy (10:15)
  • Ants To You, Gods To Who? (6:42)
  • Dreams Once Buried Beneath The Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout Into Undying Gardens (17:11)

That first track title is a whole mood

Let’s talk about that opener. "I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A 'Rap' Album..." is basically André getting ahead of the haters. He knew we’d be salty. He knew people would be waiting for the verses that never came. By putting that title first, he’s basically saying, "Look, I tried, but the flute won." It’s a 12-minute ambient journey that sets the tone for the rest of the record. No drums. No hooks. Just air moving through wood.

Why the titles are so long and weird

Some people think the titles are a joke. They aren't. André has mentioned in interviews—specifically with NPR—that he wanted the titles to give as much information as possible since there are no lyrics. Since he’s not speaking, the titles have to do the heavy lifting.

Take "That Night In Hawaii When I Turned Into A Panther..." for example. It sounds like a fever dream, right? But André actually told a story during his New Blue Sun tour about how, as a kid, he’d use his imagination for comfort, often picturing himself as an animal. He even admitted to lying about being from New York when he was a kid just to feel different. The song is a 10-minute sonic representation of that "panther" energy—low, purring tones that feel heavy and mysterious.

The Beyoncé and 93 'Til connection

The track "Ninety Three 'Til Infinity And Beyoncé" is the shortest on the album, coming in under four minutes. It’s a nod to the Souls of Mischief classic and, of course, Queen Bey. It’s probably the most "accessible" thing on the project, but even then, it’s still just a beautiful, swirling piece of ambient music. It shows that even when he's making flute music, André is still deeply rooted in hip-hop culture.

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How the album was actually made

This wasn't some polished studio session with 50 songwriters. New Blue Sun was largely improvisational. André teamed up with Carlos Niño, a heavy hitter in the LA ambient and jazz scene. They brought in folks like Nate Mercereau on guitar and Surya Botofasina on keys.

They’d just jam.

Seriously, a lot of what you hear on the andre 3000 new blue sun tracklist is the result of four guys in a room at Shangri-La studios in Malibu, just catching a vibe. André uses everything from a custom wooden Mayan double flute to digital wind instruments (EWIs).

It’s loose. Sometimes it’s a bit messy. But it feels human.

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Dealing with the "No Bars" backlash

Look, a lot of OutKast fans were mad. Some felt like he "baited" them by releasing a solo album that didn't have a single rhyme. André actually addressed this, saying the backlash mostly came from the hip-hop fans who grew up on Aquemini and Stankonia. The jazz and ambient communities, however, were surprisingly supportive.

He even put a disclaimer on the physical packaging: WARNING: NO BARS. You can't say he didn't warn you. He’s 48 years old (well, 50 now in 2026), and he’s clearly at a point where he only wants to do what feels authentic. If that’s playing a flute in a Starbucks or on a street corner in Philly, then that’s what he’s going to do.

What you should do next

If you're still skeptical about the andre 3000 new blue sun tracklist, don't treat it like a rap album. You can't listen to this while you're at the gym or getting hyped for a night out.

Try this instead:

  • Put on some high-quality headphones. The layering on "Ants To You, Gods To Who?" is actually incredible if you can hear the spatial details.
  • Listen while you’re doing something repetitive. It’s great for writing, painting, or even just driving through the city at night.
  • Read the titles while you listen. Treat the titles like the "concept" of the song. When you listen to "Dreams Once Buried Beneath The Dungeon Floor," think about the Dungeon Family's legacy in Atlanta and how André is growing past that.

This album is a test of patience, but it’s also a beautiful look into the mind of one of the greatest artists of our generation. He didn't give us the album we wanted; he gave us the album he needed to make.

To dive deeper, go back and listen to track eight, "Dreams Once Buried Beneath The Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout Into Undying Gardens." It’s 17 minutes long, but it’s the most rewarding piece on the record. It feels like a closing chapter and a new beginning all at once. Put your phone away, turn off the lights, and just let the sound wash over you.