Album Review: An Evening With Silk Sonic - Silk Sonic

After months of anticipation, pop superstar Bruno Mars and underground rapper extraordinaire Anderson .Paak have finally released their debut collaboration album An Evening With Silk Sonic. This ingenious duo took the music industry by storm with this project’s singles, including “Leave The Door Open”, “Skate”, and “Smokin Out The Window.” Blending their natural abilities with a soul-inspired sound all around, Silk Sonic brings timeless feel-good music back to the mainstream. With a runtime of just over 31 minutes, this fun-sized project left me wanting more, but the small offering of tracks is the epitome of quality over quantity.

“Silk Sonic Intro” sets the stage with the album’s “host,” self-proclaimed blaster of the universe Bootsy Collins. This short track does its job of capturing the essence and impression that this album is being performed in a small, intimate concert venue setting. “Leave The Door Open” follows, a now-familiar song that allows Bruno Mars’s vocals to shine and .Paak’s humor to thrive. This song’s music video encapsulates its luxurious aura and rich texture, as just like every song on this album, it is mixed masterfully. The following “Fly As Me” is an album-wide highlight for me, with a bassline so clean that Anderson .Paak could literally rap anything over it, and it would sound good. Luckily, his (and Bruno Mars’s) egos don’t come off as pretentious here, but instead, both artists just radiate well-earned confidence and swagger.

“After Last Night (with Thundercat and Bootsy Collins)” is likely my favorite song on the tracklisting, as every artist’s contribution to the three-part harmonies is necessary and nearly angelic at times. This track is equally sensual and humorous, as this project’s whole atmosphere encourages over-the-top lyricism without ever becoming unbelievably silly. Thundercat was the perfect guest feature for a project like this; the man’s skill on the bass is unparalleled. “Smokin Out The Window” continues this album’s hot streak, essentially offering a “she belongs to the streets” anthem. At first, the “This bitch…” that started each artist’s verses seemed a bit heavy-handed, but the lightheartedness of this song’s music video help me realize the levity intended here.

“Put On A Smile” is the darkest song on the album lyrically and tonally, as Mars and .Paak reflect on what it’s like trying to keep up appearances through heartbreak. I enjoy this track, but it isn’t as distinct or memorable as the others that keep me coming back for more. “777” wears its Bruno Mars influence on its sleeve, painting a picture of Las Vegas gambling and casino shenanigans in a lighthearted and with a fun-first attitude. We then have “Skate”, another solid feel-good single that channels many 70s sounds that complement each artist’s vocal abilities very well - even pushing .Paak further than I thought he was capable of going. Then, to close, .Paak takes the wheel with the silky smooth closer “Blast Off”, which will be a great send-off for their eventual live shows. The increasing pitch changes end this project on a high note, both literally and figuratively, but such a luscious final track would’ve had so much more gravity with just a few more tracks leading up to it, assuming that their quality would’ve delivered just as much without overstaying their welcome.

I see Silk Sonic as a one-time collaboration that seems to have caught lightning in a bottle. Mars and .Paal clearly had fun making this album, which translates to the final product, as this project is just feel-good soul-inspired bop after bop. While I wish there was more to chew on or think about after this album ended, it’s just long enough and varied in its composition to keep on repeat for quite a while.

Favorite tracks: “Leave The Door Open”, “Fly As Me”, “After Last Night (with Thundercat and Bootsy Collins)”, “Smokin Out The Window”, “777”, “Skate”

SCORE: 8/10