Thundercat Releases New Album ‘It Is What It Is’

Genre-blending bassist Thundercat — the nom de plume of Stephen Bruner — is back with a new album, It Is What It Is. The follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2017 album, Drunk, is out today via Brainfeeder.

Bruner co-produced the album with DJ and producer Flying Lotus. Thundercat prefaced the LP with the singles “Black Quails” featuring funk icon Steve Arrington and The Internet’s Steve Lacy and “Fair Chance,” a tribute to Mac Miller with Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B. In addition, Bruner also shared a video for “Dragonball Durag” starring HAIM, Kali Uchis and Quinta Brunson. The album also includes guest contributions from Childish Gambino, Kamasi Washington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Louis Cole and Zack Fox.

“This album is about love, loss, life and the ups and downs that come with that,” Bruner said in a statement. “It’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, but at different points in life you come across places that you don’t necessarily understand… some things just aren’t meant to be understood.”

Stream It Is What It Is below: