Silk Sonic
“Leave The Door Open”
WIMITLA. SONG REVIEW
By Alix Sholomon and Elie Weitzman
Photo Credit: Atlantic Records
March saw the global debut of Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak’s new band, Silk Sonic. The duo released “Leave the Door Open,” their debut single in anticipation of their new album, called An Evening With Silk Sonic. While these two already have well-established solo careers within the pop/R&B genres, the synthesis of their two styles birthed a beautiful 70’s soul vibe that is equally groovy and unique. It is unmistakably theirs and feels like they have reinvented the retro aesthetic. The nostalgic feel of their music is only matched by the excitement for the future of this band that this song has built.
Bruno Mars is no stranger to success, having gone from the days of romantic ballads such as “When I Was Your Man” to funky pop hits like “24K Magic.” He’s been at the top of the industry for over a decade now, and yet this new phase of his evolution as an artist seems like the one that is most authentically his. His passion for his music has truly shown through, and it feels as though he is now performing for himself rather than for the top spot on the Billboard charts. That sentiment is pushed further by his association with Anderson Paak., a younger artist who has always stayed true to himself. Anderson is not a surprising artist for Bruno to collaborate with, seeing as their styles can be quite similar at times. However, no one could have predicted just how good the combination of these two would go.
In its purest form, this is a song about loving someone: you want them and, while there is the worry that it may be unrequited, you’re willing to leave the door open and run the risk of getting hurt. That being said, it is less about the lyrics and more about the beauty of the melody itself. The influence of mid-century soul and Motown music shines through — this is the type of song to get up and dance to. It is immensely clear that this was the intention in mind when the track was created, as every layer of the music contributes to a larger vibe that just can’t be explained. These two blend their styles and form an all-new contemporary sound that is both reminiscent of old groups like The Delfonics, while also completely novel. The predictable key changes and chord progressions of pop music are thrown out the window entirely in favor of a remarkably inventive sound. While slightly campy, the vintage aesthetic that these two exuded within their Grammy’s performance and the music video itself makes it timeless through their embracing of nostalgic and contemporary influences. Overall, this return to the spotlight for these two artists could not be more welcome. 8.5/10