by Silk Sonic
Released November 12, 2021 via Aftermath Entertainment / Atlantic Records
Reviewed November 22, 2021
Top tracks (based on community voting)
Smokin Out The Window (68%), Leave the Door Open (57%), Fly As Me (40%)
An Evening with Silk Sonic is a short and dynamic production that offers a retro vibe and evokes all the nostalgia that quite a few R&B artists have been tapping into as of late. Both Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars deliver some of their best vocal performances, with injections of extra funk from icons Bootsy Collins and Thundercat. While the project would have benefitted from one to two more tracks, the biggest downside is the singles are clearly the best tracks on the album. While others certainly are good, nothing seems to top the duo on their latest single “Smokin Out the Window.” Regardless, the album is a fun tribute to the sound that seems to be making its way back! – Pablo (8/10)
Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars join forces to create the sinfully smooth duo that is Silk Sonic. With their debut, An Evening with Silk Sonic, listeners are able to dine on beautiful production, explicitly poignant lyrics, and groovy vibes. What this album does not lack is emotion; each track brings a different expression of joy, pain, and love. In 31 minutes, my ears were pleased and my feet were moving. I was one of the few who stayed away from the singles, so I was able to experience this album in its entirety as a fresh new sound. This is not meant to shame anyone from listening to singles, but more so to give perspective on the wholesome enjoyment I got from my initial listens. – Daniel (7/10)
An Evening with Silk Sonic is immaculate. Pristine, truly. Sparkling production, perfectly engineered nostalgia, and high energy vocals from both Anderson.Paak and Bruno Mars. The duo delivers a tidy nine tracks of syrupy smooth R&B, with dialed up jive turkey antics and the trappings of Blaxploitation reigned in to just short of “inexcusable.” I’m choosing to not think too hard about when it will inevitably create more discourse after sweeping at the Grammys. The record is fun, albeit a tad formulaic. Vocoders and vocal stacks give it some interesting moments, but it ultimately fails to emulate the genuine Soul it strives for. Mars’ artfully strained vocal stylings make this entire record feel like a terribly devoted wedding band’s setlist. – Henny (5.6/10)
Hadley: 9/10 | Jared: 9/10 | Alan: 8.8/10 | Victoria: 8.2/10
DeVán: 8/10 | Pablo: 8/10 | Pax: 7.8/10 | Dominick: 7.5/10
Peter: 7.5/10 | Ben (Synth): 7/10 | Daniel: 7/10 | Henny: 5.6/10
