Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars have finally released their debut album as Silk Sonic. Mars has been playing with the idea of funk since 2015’s global hit Uptown Special, as has renaissance musician and rapper .Paak, who experimented with funk sounds on 2018 album Oxnard. In 2017, when the two toured together on Mars’ 24K Magic Tour, a late-night jam session unveiled their shared love of funk. Four years later, after months in the studio, Silk Sonic was born.

Music legend Bootsy Collins serves as a sort of MC of the album, guiding listeners through this smooth and sexy world, adding commentary. “Take it from your Uncle Bootsy/ Ain’t no shame begging in the rain/ Tell her how you really feel,” Bootsy instructs on “Put On a Smile.” Harkening back to a luxurious, romantic era, An Evening With Silk Sonic plays on the distinct sounds, call-and-response choruses, twinkling bells and swelling music backed by dramatic strings.

Bruno Mars‘ remarkable vocals elevate the album from entertaining to masterly, and though his powerful falsetto graces every song in one form another, he also leaves room for .Paak to show off his own impressive vocal abilities. The album is full of elegant harmonies and and multiple octaves.

For the most part, this nine-track album has songs that cover numerous styles of funk. After an opening ditty that reads like the music behind a Soul Train introduction, Silk Sonic cracks open the hippest trip in America with its first single, “Leave the Door Open.”

Much like “Blast Off,” there are songs on the album that falls under the catchy and sexy category, with echoing vocals and slow, swaying synth. “After Last Night,” with Grammy-winning artist Thundercat and Collins, is also reminiscent of a velvety and seductive James Brown track. While songs like “Fly As Me” or “Skate” are also romantic songs, they both have a bouncier feel, the latter being an energetic track definitely fit for any roller rink.

“Smokin’ Out the Window” has a bit of a different flavor in terms of lyrics, telling the story of an ungrateful gold-digger and the supplicant narrator trapped in her web, and “Put On A Smile” is the only sad ballad on the album, giving Mars another opportunity show off his soulful, flashy vocals.

Finally, “777” is more of an adult version of Mars’ famous “Uptown Funk,” as it’s a groovy romp with authentic, fun soul with a bit of a Vegas theme. The song selection is not dramatically varied, and the more sultry songs tend to sound alike in structure. But the short runtime keeps things moving so that every song feels intentionally placed.

In addition to the quintessential funk sounds, Mars’ and Anderson .Paak‘s campy, fun-loving lyrics shift An Evening With Silk Sonic away from being too serious of an adventure. On “Leave the Door Open,” Paak describes himself as “Just shaved/ Smooth like a newborn,” and on “Smokin’ Out The Window,” he declares, “Not to be dramatic/ But I want to die.” Integrating humor and harmony, Silk Sonic is hopefully beginning a long and funky side project.

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