Review: The former Outkast rapper once again ditches hip-hop for jazz inspired improvisation on new EP, 7 Piano Sketches.
André 3000 turned up at the Met Gala wearing a giant piano costume, and people wondered why. Well, that’s because you’re missing a key piece of information: he dropped a surprise EP, 7 Piano Sketches.
As things go, every Met Gala event sees attendees lure attention, working with several stylists and agents to outdo, and ultimately out-weird, each other. But Mr Benjamin certainly turned up on theme ready to promote his fresh release.
What Does 7 Piano Sketches sound like?
As surprise drops go, this is as surprising as it gets. He remains a lyricist, but a rapper? That’s a bigger unanswered question. With mixed reviews from critics of his debut, favour largely remains within close circles.
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Is he a flute player? No, that much is obvious within his latest musical iteration. This time we see him questing for artistry as a pianist? Let’s get one thing straight: he’s now a jazz instrumentalist, that is, until further notice.
The opening track, Bluffing in the Snow, previews what’s to come. Its sonic leanings will jar listeners into believing it’s a freestyled composition, thanks to its disjointed notes. That’s because it is. The musician explains: “Warning: no bars. These piano sketches are improvisations. To conjure them up, I spread my fingers out on the keys and randomly but with purpose move them around until I find something that feels good or interesting. If it feels really good I will try to repeat it. I cannot name which notes, keys or chords that I’m playing. I simply like the sound and mechanics of piano playing.” Its experience drives the receiver to understand and interpret the sound with a fresh perspective, and its purpose becomes clearer as the music evolves.
Tracks like Hotel Lobby Piano break up the rhythm, appealing to another audience segment with a soundtrack-like feel. Subtly, it trains us to maintain an audio gaze through background chatter. This is sustained through a steady upward tempo, until Blueberry Mansions shifts character with distorted keys that feel attractively fitting. The two songs almost feel connected.
It dives deep as we see André ethereally inject notions of daily fervour through the susurrus happenings of life’s dew, one mimicking the curious naivety of daily murmurs.
The Verdict
It’s good. One can understand why someone might not appreciate this release. It’s short; just as it gets going, it’s over. Chopping and changing to varying degrees, it offers sustenance for those starved of pure artistry. Just as the former rapper gives the listener something to chew on, we choke on the next track. These rough “sketches” are simply that, as the metamorphosed key player says, “Pardon the sound quality, they were all recorded with my iPhone sitting directly on the piano or my laptop microphone with the exception of ‘Blueberries’ (recorded in-studio).”
As we settle into the warmth of an enchanting melody, the next track receives its scheduled title recital by an unknown narrator, as we learn to get to grips with his next work. Ultimately, continuing to explore an authentic chemistry of self, he delivers the rugged and unpolished stylistic choice he has committed to revealing.
Stream It and Buy Vinyl
You can stream the new release on major music platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. If you prefer to purchase it on vinyl, the artist’s website currently stocks a 10 inch version, where you can also buy a digital version to keep.
The Full Tracklist
The album consists of 7 tracks and is 16 minutes long. Like his debut instrumental album, Blue Sun, it was released through Epic Records, which is a division of Sony Music.
- Bluffing in the Snow
- And Then One Day You’ll…
- When You’re an Ant and You Wake Up in an Awesome Mood, About to Drive Your Son to School, Only to Discover That You Left the Lights on in the Car Last Night So Your Battery Is Drained
- Hotel Lobby Pianos
- Blueberry Mansions
- Off Rhythm Laughter
- I Spend All Day Waiting for the Night
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