# 333 (Bladee album)

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.

## Background and composition

Bladee released his third studio album Exeter on 8 April 2020, to positive reviews from Pitchfork and laut.de. It contained two guest appearances from longtime collaborator Ecco2K, though 333 contains no guest appearances. 333 was executive produced by fellow Drain Gang member Whitearmor. It was also produced by Whitearmor with contributions from Gud, Joakim Benon, Lusi, and Mechatok. The album's title is a reference to the holy number 3, which is a recurring theme in Drain Gang's music.
333 was classified as cloud rap by Jordan Darville from The Fader and Anthony Fantano. Fantano said it also pulls from ambient pop and art pop. Ben Vassar of The Michigan Daily called it "hyperpop-adjacent". It explores themes of introspection and the depths of toxic love, and contains moments of melancholy that are hidden by upbeat instrumentals. The album also builds a soundscape of toxic love with a state of self-hatred. Darville wrote that "Bladee sounds simultaneously dazed and effervescent with his rambling raver flow". Fantano said the album "sounds like the next step in a stylistic shift for Bladee". 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".

## Release and reception

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| The Needle Drop | 6/10 |
333 was released as a surprise album on 16 July 2020, by Year0001. Its album cover was created by the English artist Claire Barrow. "Reality Surf" received an Animal Crossing-like music video that was directed by Bladee and animated by Nam Mac. "Only One" also received a music video. Fantano felt that the production on 333 was less experimental compared to the production on Exeter, but that 333 accomplished Bladee's core blissful sound more effectively compared to his other records. Li thought that "Innocent of All Things", "It Girl", and "Valerie" were standout tracks.

## Track listing

All tracks are written by Benjamin Reichwald and Ludwig Rosenberg, except where noted. All tracks are produced by Whitearmor, except where noted.

## Personnel

Credits adapted from the Year0001 website.
* Whitearmor – executive production, production, mixing
* Lusi – production
* Gud – production
* Mechatok – production
* Joakim Benon – production
* Claire Barrow – cover art
* Zak Arogundade – photography

## Charts

Chart performance for 333 :
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) | 89 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC) | 28 |

## Release history

| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Edition | Ref. |
| Sweden | 16 July 2020 | Streaming | Year0001 | Original | |
| United KingdomEuropeUnited States | 1 September 2023 | LP | Year0001 | Reissue | |