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Andre 3000 Prepares New Collaboration With Sonic Youths Lee Ranaldo After Recent Jazz EPs
André 3000 has announced that new music is in the works, following a string of instrumental releases that have kept the former OutKast member in the public eye. The announcement came during a Q&A for the visual album accompanying his 2025 EP 7 Piano Sketches, where the artist confirmed that material recorded with Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo will be released soon.
The collaboration was first reported by Pigeons & Planes, which noted that the tracks were recorded in the same sessions that produced the 7 Piano Sketches EP. The nine‑time Grammy winner said nothing about the genre of the forthcoming releases, but the partnership with Ranaldo suggests a blend of jazz, experimental rock and ambient textures.
7 Piano Sketches was issued by Epic Records on May 5, 2025, and was presented as a surprise release. To promote the EP, Three Stacks released a short film on the streaming platform MUBI in June 2025. The film shows André commuting through New York City while carrying a piano strapped to his back, and it was styled after the look he wore at the 2025 Met Gala. The visual component was part of a broader strategy to highlight the EP’s focus on solo piano improvisation.
The EP follows New Blue Sun, released on November 17, 2023, which marked the artist’s first full‑length project in 17 years. New Blue Sun is a jazz‑instrumental album that features flute work by André and was nominated for Album of the Year at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. The 2023 release also followed his contribution to the Everything Everywhere All at Once soundtrack, where he played flute on several tracks.
In addition to his solo work, André’s legacy as part of OutKast remains prominent. The duo was named on The New York Times list of the 30 greatest living American songwriters, a list compiled with input from over 250 music insiders and six critics. The list includes artists such as Jay‑Z, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, and Bob Dylan, among others.
The upcoming collaboration with Ranaldo is the first time the two have worked together. Ranaldo, best known as a guitarist for Sonic Youth, has been recognized for his experimental approach to guitar. The partnership was announced in a statement from the artist’s team, which emphasized that the tracks were recorded in a studio setting and will be released under the same label that handled 7 Piano Sketches.
The new material is expected to be released in the coming months, though no official date has been set. André’s team has indicated that the release will be accompanied by a visual component similar to the MUBI short film. The artist’s official website lists the upcoming release under the “Upcoming” section, but no further details are available.
The announcement comes at a time when André’s catalog is receiving renewed attention. The 7 Piano Sketches EP is slated for a vinyl release on January 23, 2026, and the 2023 album will be reissued on vinyl in 2026 as well. These releases are part of a broader strategy to make the artist’s instrumental work available across multiple formats.
As of now, the only confirmed information about the new collaboration is that it involves Lee Ranaldo and will be released by Epic Records. No genre, tracklist, or release date has been disclosed. Fans and industry observers will need to wait for further announcements from André 3000’s management or the label for additional details.
The upcoming release is significant because it marks a return to collaborative work after a series of solo projects. It also signals André’s continued interest in blending jazz with experimental rock elements, a direction that has been hinted at in his recent releases and public statements.
In summary, André 3000 is preparing to release new music recorded with Lee Ranaldo, following the 2025 EP 7 Piano Sketches and the 2023 album New Blue Sun. The collaboration is expected to be released soon, with a visual component likely to accompany it. The artist’s catalog will also see new vinyl releases in 2026, and the New Blue Sun album remains a critical highlight of his recent output.
The collaboration was first reported by Pigeons & Planes, which noted that the tracks were recorded in the same sessions that produced the 7 Piano Sketches EP. The nine‑time Grammy winner said nothing about the genre of the forthcoming releases, but the partnership with Ranaldo suggests a blend of jazz, experimental rock and ambient textures.
7 Piano Sketches was issued by Epic Records on May 5, 2025, and was presented as a surprise release. To promote the EP, Three Stacks released a short film on the streaming platform MUBI in June 2025. The film shows André commuting through New York City while carrying a piano strapped to his back, and it was styled after the look he wore at the 2025 Met Gala. The visual component was part of a broader strategy to highlight the EP’s focus on solo piano improvisation.
The EP follows New Blue Sun, released on November 17, 2023, which marked the artist’s first full‑length project in 17 years. New Blue Sun is a jazz‑instrumental album that features flute work by André and was nominated for Album of the Year at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. The 2023 release also followed his contribution to the Everything Everywhere All at Once soundtrack, where he played flute on several tracks.
In addition to his solo work, André’s legacy as part of OutKast remains prominent. The duo was named on The New York Times list of the 30 greatest living American songwriters, a list compiled with input from over 250 music insiders and six critics. The list includes artists such as Jay‑Z, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, and Bob Dylan, among others.
The upcoming collaboration with Ranaldo is the first time the two have worked together. Ranaldo, best known as a guitarist for Sonic Youth, has been recognized for his experimental approach to guitar. The partnership was announced in a statement from the artist’s team, which emphasized that the tracks were recorded in a studio setting and will be released under the same label that handled 7 Piano Sketches.
The new material is expected to be released in the coming months, though no official date has been set. André’s team has indicated that the release will be accompanied by a visual component similar to the MUBI short film. The artist’s official website lists the upcoming release under the “Upcoming” section, but no further details are available.
The announcement comes at a time when André’s catalog is receiving renewed attention. The 7 Piano Sketches EP is slated for a vinyl release on January 23, 2026, and the 2023 album will be reissued on vinyl in 2026 as well. These releases are part of a broader strategy to make the artist’s instrumental work available across multiple formats.
As of now, the only confirmed information about the new collaboration is that it involves Lee Ranaldo and will be released by Epic Records. No genre, tracklist, or release date has been disclosed. Fans and industry observers will need to wait for further announcements from André 3000’s management or the label for additional details.
The upcoming release is significant because it marks a return to collaborative work after a series of solo projects. It also signals André’s continued interest in blending jazz with experimental rock elements, a direction that has been hinted at in his recent releases and public statements.
In summary, André 3000 is preparing to release new music recorded with Lee Ranaldo, following the 2025 EP 7 Piano Sketches and the 2023 album New Blue Sun. The collaboration is expected to be released soon, with a visual component likely to accompany it. The artist’s catalog will also see new vinyl releases in 2026, and the New Blue Sun album remains a critical highlight of his recent output.
