By Bryson Sheriff
The album I am going to be analyzing today is An Evening With Silk Sonic, a recent project by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, who form the duo known as Silk Sonic. The cover art, title, and all of the visual rhetoric elements associated with this album are effective and pair very well with the sounds you hear throughout the project.
This album is very different from the typical hip-hop, rock, and pop styles you hear on the radio today. According to the duo's Wikipedia page, their style has been described as fitting in the genres of "R&B, soul, funk, pop, smooth soul, and funk-pop." It has been previously said that Bruno and Anderson drew heavy inspiration from the popularity of soul and funk in the 1970s when creating this project. The album also features soundbites from funk music legend Bootsy Collins. "Collins is a legend who has worked with everyone from James Brown to Deee-Lite, acting as a figurehead of funk and soul for every generation," is how one article surrounding the duo described the musician.
I believe that the nostalgic, unique sounds of this album are smoothly tied together by the project's visual rhetoric. The simple yet effective title of An Evening With Silk Sonic keeps the focus on the duo's groovy name, while also making the listener believe this is going to be an immersive, special listening experience, which it truly is. I believe that the old-fashioned font as well as Bruno and Anderson's shiny glasses inspired by 70s funk fashion, really complement the aura of this album. The grain and slight discolorations on the cover add to these feelings of nostalgia as well.
The cover art and title of the project do exactly what they are supposed to. They give a look into what this album is going to be like, while also intriguing listeners with their modern irregularness.
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