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The week in music: Andre 3000 surprises, and Travis tops Taylor

A look back at The A.V. Club's top music news and features from November 13-18

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Photo: Andrew Toth (Getty Images), Cooper Neill; Marcelo Endelli/TAS23; Arne Dedert/picture alliance (Getty Images), Amy Sussman (Getty Images), Graphic: Karl Gustafson

André 3000 announces new album with absurd, incredible tracklist

André 3000 releasing new music
André 3000
Photo: Andrew Toth (Getty Images)

André 3000 is releasing his first album in over 17 years, but the content might not be what you expect. “[Even] actually on the packaging, you’ll see it says, ‘Warning: no bars,’” he explains in a new interview with NPR. New Blue Sun, releasing on November 17, is not a rap album at all. Instead, it’s an improvisational instrumental album wherein André plays the flute alongside other jazz musicians. Read More

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21 can’t miss holiday gifts for music fans

Clockwise from bottom left: Freddie Mercury action figure (NECO), The Woman In Me by Britney Spears (Gallery Books), Dolly Parton Funko pop (Funko), The Beatles 1962-1966 & 1967-1970 (Capitol Records)
Clockwise from bottom left: Freddie Mercury action figure (NECO), The Woman In Me by Britney Spears (Gallery Books), Dolly Parton Funko pop (Funko), The Beatles 1962-1966 & 1967-1970 (Capitol Records)
Graphic: Karl Gustafson
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It’s a common situation: there are so many items targeted at music lovers that it can be hard to tell what makes for a worthwhile gift. That’s where The A.V. Club comes in. Here, we sort through the books, box sets, and collectibles from the past year, finding the items that are ideal for the music fanatic in your life. Whether you’re shopping for an aging alt-rocker, a teen-popper taking a look back at their past, a wealthy disciple of the Boss, or even yourself, there’s plenty to cherish and covet in this list. Read More

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Well, Travis Kelce might as well have a #1 song now too

Travis Kelce scores a #1 song
Jason Kelce; Taylor Swift; Travis Kelce
Photo: Cooper Neill; Marcelo Endelli/TAS23; Arne Dedert/picture alliance (Getty Images)
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Much like the sun, the incredible power of Taylor Swift’s light tends to reflect on those closest to her, and like the moon, her boyfriend Travis Kelce is glowing all the brighter because of it. Kelce is probably the most famous (American) football player in the world right now, and he’s reaping the benefits of his association with Swift. In the weeks since their romance began, sales for Kelce jerseys have skyrocketed, his podcast New Heights has climbed the charts, and now he even has a #1 song on the iTunes chart. Read More


Drake shouts out Taylor Swift on surprise release

Drake
Drake
Photo: Amy Sussman (Getty Images)
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Well, it looks like Drake’s tummy isn’t hurting so much anymore. Just weeks after announcing he’d be taking an extended break from music to deal with some health complications—specifically the fact that he’d been having “the craziest problems for years with [his] stomach”—the “IDGAF” rapper and published poet is back with a surprise new album. The six-song record, titled Scary Hours 3, is a followup to 2018's Scary Hours and 2021's Scary Hours 2. Read More