André 3000 – 7 Piano Sketches (Album Review)

André 3000 shows off his piano skills in “7 Piano Sketches.” Spoiler alert: He doesn’t rap on the album.

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TOP 3 SONGS

Honorable Mention. bluffing in the snow

The track opens with frantic piano playing—chaotic, playful—before settling into a soft calm. It almost feels like being a kid again: running wild in the snow, tossing snowballs, then coming home to hot chocolate and the cozy hum of the heater. What makes this song so unique is how it keeps shifting—darting between that wild outdoor energy and the warmth of being inside. Eventually, it lands somewhere in the middle, with a steady tempo, flashes of hip-hop cadence, and what sounds like intentional imperfections woven into the mix.

3. off rhythm laughter

Laughter is contagious—and honestly, it’s therapeutic too. In “off rhythm laughter,” there’s something soul-soothing about the gentle piano paired with the scattered laughter in the background. It feels like emotional nourishment. The track also creates an atmosphere that sparks introspection, like you’re slowly drifting off to another planet. I love the way it blends a childlike, grade-school innocence with subtle sci-fi undertones.

2. i spend all day waitin…

Out of all the tracks on this project, “hotel lobby pianos” is the one that begs for an André 3000 verse the most. It’s more than just the elegant piano—it’s the knock of the drums, the infectious bounce, the sticky melody, and a tempo that hits that perfect sweet spot. It feels like the most fully formed track on the entire project. Every element clicks into place, creating a moment where the production truly shines and leaves you wishing for more.

1. hotel lobby pianos

I’m not going to lie: I loved that brief moment where we got to hear André 3000’s voice at the beginning. OK—glazing aside—it genuinely added a special touch.

Beyond that, “hotel lobby pianos” has a little edge, a little pizzazz, and a few sparkly moments that really stand out. It’s playful, stylish, and just fun to listen to. Out of the whole project, this is the one that had me nodding along—and maybe even snapping my fingers. It’s got that effortless cool factor that makes it easy to hit repeat.

SONG-BY-SONG RATING

OVERALL RATING

(75%)

Let’s be real—we’re probably never getting a full André 3000 rap album. He’s been doing everything but rapping on his recent projects. But there’s a silver lining: as he leans into flute and piano-driven compositions, he taps into something tender and nostalgic—almost like he’s rediscovering the joy of being a kid again.

This latest project feels like a bold, genre-blurring body of work. It’s filled with moments that evoke childhood wonder, sci-fi dreamscapes, gentle melodies, and even subtle hip-hop undertones. It’s not rap, but it’s still very André: thoughtful, unconventional, and timeless.