After recently signing to Sub Pop Records, TV on the Radio frontman Tunde Adebimpe has finally announced his debut solo effort. Titled Thee Black Boltz, the new album is set to arrive on April 18th. As a preview, Adebimpe has unveiled the single “Drop.” Stream new song below.
With production credits that include Wilder Zoby, Jaleel Bynton, Jahphet Landis (of TV on the Radio), and Adebimpe, Thee Black Boltz serves as an outlet for Adebimpe to fully explore his various sonic and songwriting interests. “I’ve been doing this thing with this group of people for so long, that I can just have a vague sketch of a concept and I know Jaleel or Kyp will have five brilliant ideas on where it can go,” he explained in a statement. “But for Thee Black Boltz, I didn’t have that scaffolding to hang on. That was both terrifying and exhilarating.”
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Thematically, it also works as his response to the state of the modern word and the profound nature of loss many have experienced in recent years. Hitting even closer to home, Adebimpe himself lost his younger sister during the album’s creation. “It was my way of building a rock or a platform for myself in the middle of this fucking ocean,” he said of the project.
Following up his previous single “Magnetic,” “Drop” offers another sneak preview into the new set of songs. Creative and engaging, the tune combines swelling synth chords, vocal samples, and Adebimpe’s dynamic vocals. Though it plays it a little softer and slower than “Magnetic,” it’s no less interesting. Check out the song’s visualizer below.
While Adebimpe launches his solo career, TV on the Radio continues to march on with their reunion. Last year, the acclaimed indie act returned with a residency and a host of reissues. They also ripped through an NPR Tiny Desk Concert and are set to play a handful of 2025 festivals, including Just Like Heaven, Kilby Block Party, Primavera Sound, and more. Get tickets here.
Thee Black Boltz Artwork:
Thee Black Boltz Tracklist:
01. Thee Black Boltz
02. Magnetic
03. Ate The Moon
04. Pinstack
05. Drop
06. ILY
07. The Most
08. God Knows
09. Blue
10. Somebody New
11. Streetlight Nuevo