Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s album “An Evening With Silk Sonic” is easily a contender for Album of the Year. With mesmerizing vocals from both .Paak and Mars along with bouncy production, Silk Sonic has most definitely made a generational classic. Although stylistically most of the production is similar to most 70’s R&B/Soul albums, they flow over the instrumentals so effortlessly that it doesn’t matter in the slightest. If anything, it benefits them by igniting nostalgic sounds that attract listeners of all ages. My biggest criticism is that a majority of the album was already released before its actual release date, in addition to changing the time of release multiple times, but in the long run, it really doesn’t matter too much to me.

Track One: “Silk Sonic Intro” (10/10)

Although just an intro to the album, it’s a perfect introduction to what exactly Silk Sonic is. It’s as if you’re walking into a luxurious restaurant with a band performing as a main performance. Without really overthinking it, I really believe that this was just an overall great intro, which is why it’s a ten, yet I still firmly believe it’s the perfect introduction to “An Evening With Silk Sonic”.

Track Two: “Leave The Door Open” (9/10)

The first single published by Silk Sonic made me unbelievably excited for the album. The way .Paak and Mars trade off the background and frontal vocals is so enchanting. It transitions perfectly from the intro as you’re put into one of the most soothing songs on the album right off the bat. I thoroughly believe that a large majority of the population that listened to this song for the first time got goosebumps at least twice throughout the duration of the song.

Track Three: “Fly As Me” (7/10)

Although “Fly As Me” is a quality song, I believe it is the worst on the album. Funk as a genre can be fairly risky with how corny it can come off as. I think .Paak flows perfectly on the song but just in general the song wasn’t quite as good as the others to me. One of the things I do like more about this song in comparison to most of the others is the diversified flow that .Paak displays a few times in the song, showing his versatility as a rapper and singer. I did also see a Tik Tok that said that “Fly As Me” sounded like a song in a back to school ad and I am unable to get that vision outside of my head every time I listen to this song.

Track Four: “After Last Night” (9/10)

Although this song is fantastic, I can’t like it as much as I want to due to some fairly specific reasons. The first is that the intro is, in a way, off-putting to me with the interlude-like monologue at the beginning from the woman. It generally just makes me tense because of how she’s talking. The other reason is how .Paak and Mars say “gushy-gushy-good” really makes me cringe. Other than that the song is nearly perfect. I love the parts where they just fall into the groove of the song as well as the distant talking in the background of the song from Bootsy Collins.

Track Five: “Smoking Out The Window” (10/10)

“Smoking Out The Window” is such a fantastic song. Following “After Last Night” it seems as though the song takes place after a fling falls through despite the wishes of Mars and .Paak. The chorus of this song is so effortlessly pretty, and the various sparkles and other background instruments make the song very dazzling. In addition to the beautiful vocals provided by the two, the part of the song that really gets me is .Paak’s short spiel just before the end of the song at around 2:20, it’s a weirdly perfect addition to the song and concludes their feelings over the fling in a comedic and somewhat relatable fashion.

Track Six: “Put On A Smile” (10/10)

Continuing from “Smoking Out The Window,” an upbeat ‘I’m getting over her’ song, both Mars and .Paak transition to being upset that it’s over once again, but in more of a melancholy fashion than braggadocious. Mars goes back to more of his “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” roots, as I hear a lot of “Talking to the Moon” similarities throughout the song. The song is easy to relate to for those who have just gone through a breakup. It is one of the perfect ‘sad songs’ to have in a Bruno Mars album.

Track Seven: “777” (9/10)

I love the groove of “777” following “Put On A Smile” because it’s like the bounceback after getting over your ex. Going back to a ‘bachelor’ lifestyle with money flying out of your account, going on expenditures to make yourself happier with your friends. .Paak and Mars describe going to the club or the casino (which is why it’s called “777”) and involving themselves with more distractions. The song keeps, and furthers, your interest in the album because it brings back the bolstering, loud lifestyle that is referenced earlier in “Fly As Me.”

Track Eight: “Skate” (7/10)

Although “Skate” is overall a solid song, it’s probably the most boring out of the bunch. The flows are all ones that .Paak and Bruno have used before and the lyrics are generally pretty basic. It also feels like a filler track in the album and isn’t as involved with the storyline that is followed throughout the earlier tracks in the album. That doesn’t overall take away from the value of the song though because it’s still a great song to have in the background or to sing along with.

Track Nine: “Blast Off” (10/10)

“Blast Off” sounds like the end of school, heading into summer. When everything seems good and like there’s so much life left to live. The background vocals that .Paak and Mars take turns in providing are heavenly, and the dreamy production only adds to the feeling of elation that the track gives. As well as the brief guitar solo in the song being a beautiful addition to the track. It’s a perfect way to finish up the album. I think it represents the light at the end of the tunnel in a way since throughout the album you can see the ups and downs of a fling and how they overcome and flourish after they’re all done.