by Sam Wolstenholm
An Evening with Silk Sonic by Silk Sonic was released on November 12th 2021. This is a duo composed of the great Anderson .Paak and the legendary Bruno Mars. I shouldn't have to tell you why this combination just makes sense. If you haven't heard the solo work of either of these guys, do yourself the favor. They come out here with one of the most feel-good projects in a while. They hit huge success with some of these singles too (not that that's what they were going for). This is really a tribute album to the music that influenced both of their sounds/styles. The sounds of Motown, funk, and even a little disco are present here. I'll go ahead and stop here though and allow you listen for yourself. Let me bring out to the stage...your headliners for this evening...
This is a great taste of what the whole project sounds like. I'm pretty sure Anderson .Paak is on the drums for all these songs, including this one. The full band sound displays how much work and fun was put into the project that is Silk Sonic. There are horns and guitars and groovy bass lines. This track is only a minute long, but it changes like five times in the most natural and epic ways. Not to mention that Bootsy fucking Collins is acting as the "host". I'd say this intro sounds like a portal to the seventies, but I wasn't alive then. I wouldn't know. For someone born in 1999, I really feel like I'm sitting in a jazz hall smoking a cigar or something.
What can I say about this song that hasn't been said already? It's been a massive hit (deservingly so). The voices of Bruno and Anderson mix together and bounce off each other in the most energetic and beautiful ways. Bruno Mars especially shines on here. He really sings his ass off. This track is dynamic, pretty, engaging, fun, catchy, and passionate. It moves effortlessly from soft and sensual to big and epic. The instrumental and vocals compliment each other in ways that many artists are unable to achieve. You'd be lying if you told me you don't already have half this song memorized. If you don't, then do it.
3. "Fly As Me"
Funk yes! This track is swagtastic (yea I wrote that - AND I proofread it). Anderson .Paak is allowed to do some sassy rap flows over some lowkey production. His lyrics aren't anything special, but it's definitely done on purpose. The song is playful and his bars are supposed to be pretty surface level. They are simply having fun (which is something that is true across the entire album). The chorus is really smooth and catchy. The way the instruments come in on the second beat and holds for the rest of the measure is unique, and it works. Then they switch the beat to something funkier somehow. It's pretty much just drums for a not insignificant amount of time emphasized by some horns. During this bridge, they have some more fun by spelling out "fly" as if we can't do that ourselves. That is the only part of the track I could've done without. Besides that, incredible.
The theme of this track is exactly what you think it'd be. In my opinion, the lyrics are a bit too on-the-nose. "After last night, I think I'm in love with you". No you don't Bruno (and/or Anderson?). You're thinking with your dick. It's okay though, we all do. As far as the sound goes, this is a slower, sexier track. Thundercat absolutely murders the bass line, obviously, and Bootsy Collins has some fun vocals too. The big band sound is here too, and it sounds good. I don't know if these two would put anything on this project that just sounds bad. There is plenty of variation in the instrumental. They do a good job of bringing instruments in and out at the right times. They move the energy up and down well. However, nothing about this track is terribly unique. In fact, it sounds like they just tried to make another "Leave The Door Open", but it isn't as good. It's still catchy though.
Who can relate? Woo! First of all, if you haven't seen the music video for this, definitely watch it. It's so fun. The song, though, is a break up song of sorts. It still sounds fun, but there is a real sense of sadness and disdain too. There's a mix of truly painful and playful lyrics. I could quote almost the entire song as an example, but my favorite line might be one of the first ones from Bruno Mars: "Got her badass kids runnin' 'round my crib like it's Chuck E. Cheese". That is funny, but it is also kind of sad when you realize that he's saying he was so close with this woman that he allowed her and her kids into his home just for her to break his heart. He (as in the first-person narrator of the track) is understandably upset by the end of the track when Anderson .Paak says another one of my favorite lines: "I hope you find whatever it is that you need, but I also hope that your triflin' ass is walkin' 'round barefoot in these streets". Clearly he doesn't mean that literally, but this track is just pure emotional response. Oh yea, it sounds great too. The same positives that applied to the other instrumentals apply here too.
DARK HORSE! Do NOT sleep on this track. It is my favorite on here for sure. You'll have stank face and tears within the first minute. This follows "Smokin Out The Window" as the other, more serious, response to losing a love. It is slow, cinematic, gorgeous, and emotional. It almost sounds orchestral. There is also a really effective use of a rainstorm sound. The lyrics are both clever and relatable with lines like "I should be a movie star, the way I play the part". If you haven't heard this track yet, click on it above and listen to it right now. It's catchy, smooth, and beautifully performed. Bruno Mars takes over here and decides to deliver some of the best vocals I've honestly ever heard. Yea, I said ever. Wow I love this track.
7. "777"
We take a tonal shift here back to fun and playful. This song is very much that, and you can tell right away once the guitar comes in at the start. It's a funky little distorted rift. The drums are fun too with, among other sounds, some tight hi-hats, shakers, and a fucking vibraslap (I had to look that up, but it's the thing that sounds kind of like a rattlesnake). There are even some faint bongos here. It really sounds like they put a lot of effort into the production and composition. Bruno Mars again shines on here vocally, bringing the energy up to fourteen out of seven. Titled "777" (on track 7 too by the way...I see what you did there guys), this song is all about the luck. They mention Las Vegas and dice and stuff like that. In fact, every show they have as Silk Sonic has been in Vegas. It makes sense for the vibe of this project. However, as much as I think this song is cool, I don't think it's on the same level as the others on the project. It's a good song on its own, but it doesn't really match the sound of the other tracks. It feels like it's almost just stuck here in the middle. It isn't a skip or anything, but it sounds out of place in the context of the album.
8. "Skate"
Don't sleep on this song either. I actually did for a while, but it got exponentially better the more I heard it. I couldn't put my finger on what it sounded like for the longest time...that is, until I gave up trying. I decided to just enjoy the song for what it was, and I'm glad I did. It is so fun and sounds simple for how complex it actually is. Like most of the other tracks on this project, instruments are constantly jumping in and out of the composition seamlessly. I'd be a bad son if I didn't mention my dad's favorite line on this entire album: "I can smell your sweet perfume, you smell better than a barbecue". Besides that though, the other lyrics here are lighthearted and performed beautifully yet again (do I even need to say that at this point?) Honestly, if you don't want to do that 70's disco dance while roller skating when you hear this track, then you need to learn how to roller skate.
Not originally on the album, "Love's Train" is a cover of the Con Funk Shun's track of the same title. I'll give it a little review here anyway because it is actually pretty damn good. It's nice and smooth. The horns catch my hear. It sounds like I'm riding a train of love for real. The vocal performances are solid, obviously. I mean, it's worth a listen, but I'm not putting too much weight into this track since it wasn't on the original release nor is it an original song.
10. "Blast Off"
This actually gives me some vibes similar to those of "Love's Train". It isn't exactly a crazy lyric, but the line "I took a little something to get here" is delivered in such a cool way that it's easily one of the most memorable on the track (maybe even the album). Overall, this song is just beautiful instrumentally. The guitar solo halfway through is just amazing. The duo's background vocals sound incredible. They are really trying to blast us off into space. I'm pretty sure there is supposed to be a little drug extended metaphor (getting "higher" and whatnot). I'd like to interpret this as the music they just played being the drug, and they are about to party after their "show" (since the album is supposed to play like a mini show). They're looking foward. They've done all they needed to do and are ready to move on up. It's a good track that wraps up the album nicely.
Overall
Amazing. I know I only gave it an 8.8 (spoiler), but that's an amazing score. It'd take a lot to get more than that. I guess I should explain what I think it's missing or lacking on huh? Well, I think "777" sticks out like a sore thumb in the overall sound of the project. It's good, but it doesn't exactly flow very well in my opinion. I'm not really counting "Love's Train", but it is on the album now, so it must be considered. I think it's good too, but I don't think it made the album any better or worse. It was an unccessary add, and they should have just put it out as a single. The opening and closing tracks are, again, solid, but they struggle to hold their own as individual singles. Also, as consistent as the album is, I understand if people think many of the songs sound the same. I would tend to disagree, but I get it. The stylistic choices can be compared between just about every song here, and I can see that getting boring or repetitive for some people. On the positive side of things, there is everything you love and more about Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. Their chemistry is undeniable (like, they really seem to be best friends) and the musical choices they make are fun and exciting. There is a clear 70's musical influence, but I tried to ignore that when reviewing this because I wanted to view it as its own thing. It's sung well. It's mixed well. It's written well. And damn is it fun!
8.8/10
If you've read my review, I assume you have already heard An Evening with Silk Sonic, so I want to hear what you think. What'd I miss? Did I tear apart your favorite song? Or give too much credit to one that doesn't deserve it? Any questions or comments? I'd love to respond. Feel free to drop review requests too! I will strongly consider them (this one was a request).
Peace and love.
album for me is 9/10 not my favorite one of his but it is still really good. I agree with your review!
Youre right on the money. This album is like a rack of ribs smothered in Sweet Baby Ray’s