333 | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 16 July 2020 | |||
Genre | Cloud rap | |||
Length | 37:16 | |||
Label | Year0001 | |||
Producer |
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Bladee chronology | ||||
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333 is the fourth studio album by the Swedish rapper Bladee. A surprise album, it was released by Year0001 on 16 July 2020. It is Bladee's second release of 2020, following April's Exeter. It was produced by Whitearmor with contributions from a variety of record producers, including Gud and Joakim Benon. Its title is a reference to the holy number 3, which is a recurring theme in Drain Gang's music. 333 is a cloud rap album that explores themes of introspection and love, and contains upbeat instrumentals. It charted in Scotland and the United Kingdom, and received a lukewarm review from Anthony Fantano, who considered it an improvement over Bladee's previous work.
Bladee released his third studio album Exeter on 8 April 2020, [1] to positive reviews from Pitchfork and laut.de . [2] [3] It contained two guest appearances from longtime collaborator Ecco2K, though 333 contains no guest appearances. [4] 333 was executive produced by fellow Drain Gang member Whitearmor. [5] It was also produced by Whitearmor with contributions from Gud, Joakim Benon, Lusi, and Mechatok. [6] The album's title is a reference to the holy number 3, which is a recurring theme in Drain Gang's music. [7]
333 was classified as cloud rap by Jordan Darville from The Fader [5] and Anthony Fantano. [8] Fantano said it also pulls from ambient pop and art pop. [9] Ben Vassar of The Michigan Daily called it "hyperpop-adjacent". [10] It explores themes of introspection and the depths of toxic love, and contains moments of melancholy that are hidden by upbeat instrumentals. [11] [12] The album also builds a soundscape of toxic love with a state of self-hatred. [11] Darville wrote that "Bladee sounds simultaneously dazed and effervescent with his rambling raver flow". [5] Fantano said the album "sounds like the next step in a stylistic shift for Bladee". [13] The Boar's Max Gentleman described "Keys to the City" and "100s" as containing "Microsoft error noise style bass" and a "haunting delivery". He also described "Innocent of All Things" as having a catchy hook, "Reality Surf" having "druggy meditations", and the "percussive hits contrasting the emotional resignation" of "Oh Well". [14]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
The Needle Drop | 6/10 [15] [a] |
333 was released as a surprise album on 16 July 2020, by Year0001. [4] Its album cover was created by the English artist Claire Barrow. [4] [10] "Reality Surf" received an Animal Crossing -like music video that was directed by Bladee and animated by Nam Mac. [16] [17] "Only One" also received a music video. [12] Fantano felt that the production on 333 was less experimental compared to the production on Exeter, [18] but that 333 accomplished Bladee's core blissful sound more effectively compared to his other records. [19] Li thought that "Innocent of All Things", "It Girl", and "Valerie" were standout tracks. [12]
All tracks are written by Benjamin Reichwald and Ludwig Rosenberg, except where noted. All tracks are produced by Whitearmor, except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Wings in Motion" |
| 2:24 | |
2. | "Don't Worry" | 2:19 | ||
3. | "Keys to the City" | 2:27 | ||
4. | "Hero of My Story 3style3" | 1:59 | ||
5. | "100s" | 2:27 | ||
6. | "Mean Girls" | 2:27 | ||
7. | "Innocent of All Things" | 2:09 | ||
8. | "Reality Surf" |
|
| 2:04 |
9. | "Noblest Strive" |
|
| 2:15 |
10. | "It Girl" | 2:16 | ||
11. | "Oh Well" |
|
| 2:28 |
12. | "Valerie" | 2:40 | ||
13. | "Finder" | 1:44 | ||
14. | "Extasia" | 2:21 | ||
15. | "Only One" |
|
| 2:29 |
16. | "Swan Lake" | 2:57 | ||
Total length: | 37:26 |
Credits adapted from the Year0001 website. [20]
Chart (2023) | Peak position |
---|---|
Scottish Albums (OCC) [21] | 89 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [22] | 28 |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Edition | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sweden | 16 July 2020 | Year0001 | Original | [23] | |
| 1 September 2023 | Reissue | [24] |
{{cite AV media notes}}
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