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 use of 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.
Background and composition
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 executively produced by fellow Drain Gang founder 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 mediations", and the "percussive hits contrasting the emotional resignation" in "Oh Well".[14]
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.[17][18] "Only One" also received a music video.[12] Fantano felt that the production on 333 was less experimental compared to the production on Exeter,[19] but that 333 accomplished Bladee's core blissful sound more effectively compared to his other records.[20] Li thought that "Innocent of All Things", "It Girl", and "Valerie" were standout tracks.[12]
