It’s probably not as easy for someone like Bruno Mars to surprise people these days. The musician is now a mega star, meaning, it’s hard for him to do anything without the rest of the world knowing about it. True, he’s unlikely to get anything over on anyone now, but with his newest musical venture he may have come close. Who in their right mind would’ve thought that in 2021, Silk Sonic would even be a thing? Well a thing they are, as just days ago Bruno Mars and fellow collaborator Anderson .Paak released their first album together as the duo Silk Sonic.
An Evening With Silk Sonic isn’t exactly out of nowhere. The pair did release a single together back in March, though it’s not uncommon for artists in the industry to collaborate from time to time.
An Evening With Silk Sonic isn’t exactly out of nowhere. The pair did release a single together back in March, though it’s not uncommon for artists in the industry to collaborate from time to time. Months later they have taken their partnership to new heights, and An Evening With Silk Sonic could be just the beginning. Just for a moment, forget all that’s happened in the world the past two years. Forget the movements, the instability, the lockdowns, in fact, forget everything just for the time it takes to get through this album. Silk Sonic delivers a trip down memory lane with a sound and style that has nothing to do with anything that’s transpired recently, and honestly, it’s just the thing everyone needs right now. It’s sexy, soulful, nostalgic, and most importantly, there are no underlying messages nor is there any code speak or deep metaphors.
It’s impossible to cover everything that makes this nine track record worth the listen. It also wouldn’t be fair to give too much away, but rest assured, the pay off on this is so huge. Between Bruno Mars’ seemingly endless range and the accommodating all around prowess of Anderson .Paak, listeners can expect soulful music production, content with vibes not seen since the 1970s, exquisitely executed harmonies, and a sexy tone that can only be felt by hearing every single track. No one song stands out, but each one is both consistent whilst distinguishing itself from the others. So much is achieved by both artists in just a half hour listening time that it’s likely to be replayed in full numerous times. Perhaps what is most interesting about this undertaking, is the choice behind why it was so right in visiting a sound that is revered yet is so dated.
The entire album sounds as though it could’ve been produced years before most of Mars’ fans were even born, but maybe, that was the point. Is this the new direction of Bruno Mars or, is this just something meant to be performed by Silk Sonic? As long as the public gets more of this from him, or them, then it really doesn’t matter. They made something special with An Evening With Silk Sonic and ideally this will not be the last time the two put out music together. Together, they’ve brought back the funk, and the funk has been missed.
