An Evening With Silk Sonic by Bruno Mars

After experimenting with 80’s and 90’s R&B on his previous record, “24K Magic”, Bruno Mars flirts with yet another decade in collaboration with Anderson.Paak in his newest album, “An Evening With Silk Sonic.”

Paak and Mars began this album in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, in hopes of bringing a sense of positivity and good vibes in a time of adversity. Within the first few seconds of listening to the album, it’s clear that 70’s smooth jazz and soul music are the inspiration for the sound. It doesn’t sound like a typical Bruno Mars album, and that’s what makes it so good. 

The album opens up with “Silk Sonic Intro,” a one-minute long interlude into the lead single, “Leave The Door Open” – a sexy and harmonious ballad with Mars’ signature love-crush lyrics. “Fly As Me” creates an upbeat mood with a combination of funk and soft rock, whereas “Smokin’ Out The Window” and “After Last Night” incorporate a 70’s soulful vibe similar to that of Marvin Gaye on “What’s Going On.”

The peak of the album, and my personal favorite, is the disco-influenced, “Skate.” Described as a song to bring people together to the dance floor, there’s an instrumental break meant for people to “groove” skate, or dance.

Mars discussed his collaboration with Paak as, “​​Making music to make women feel good and make people dance, and that’s it.” And that’s what they did. Listening to “An Evening With Silk Sonic” guarantees a good time – exactly what the world needs now.