Whether you like to get high in the woods and cry over exes or sip on crown royal in your silk pjs, there was something for everyone last week. Red, Taylor Swift’s fourth studio album, has gotten a re-release, complete with reworked version’s of hit songs. In addition, Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak have FINALLY released the first album from their new collab band, Silk Sonic.
Each of those album’s releases would be phenomenal pieces of music news on their own, but together they’re a dynamic duo with a musical flavor profile that is undeniable.
Or, as one Taco Bell aficionado put it …
My personal favorite part about Red is not the way the songs sound (although, I Knew You Were Trouble will always be THAT song), nor even the villagers sharpening their pitchforks for Jake Gyllenhaal, but the mere fact that every re-released song and album screws over Scooter Braun more and more.
Whether you’re a swiftie or not, you can’t deny a couple of truths that have emerged with this album release. For one, She’s got DAMN good people on the business side of her label. This re-release was done in tandem with a Starbucks collaboration, a short film she wrote and directed, and a musical guest appearance on SNL. I don’t know which demon you have to make a deal with to get all that in the same week in November, but I want their number. You also can’t deny that she’s good. She’s a good musician, capable of creating even decent songs among a variety of genres. She’s a good songwriter, as demonstrated by the poetic quality of her lyrics. And she's a good performer. The problem is however, that she’s been casually dismissed by portions of the population, especially in the music industry.
For years, she never really fit in, right? She never really adhered to any kind of stereotype. Taylor Swift doesn’t really have anyone to compare to because, well, she kind of does her own thing. It’s led people to insist that she’s not a good artist, and to even rob her of well deserved spotlight, even at the VMAs.
Whatever the case for how she’s been treated, I think now represents a turning point for swift. Her music has matured, the subject and style of it has changed to fit who she is now, as evidenced by such works as “Folklore”. Taylor Swift makes us ask an important question: Is a good artist one who can capture lightning in a bottle a couple times? Or someone who pursues their dreams, wherever it takes them?”
When I first saw the music video for “Skate”, I knew the only way to cure my new addiction would be with an album. Silk Sonic’s inaugural album is nothing but a 70s themed pop fantasia, with Anderson and Bruno making magic by doing something very simple; the boys are having fun.
Some could say an album like this was a natural conclusion for Anderson .Paak, especially considering the sound of his 2019 album Ventura, that even featured a track with Smokey Robinson. While the same can’t be said for Bruno Mars, he does not sound out of place for a second among the 70s-esque sound of r&b pop/soul.
The album is nothing but fun, with upbeat tracks on some of it, but also slow, sultry jams that do NOT take themselves too seriously. Bootsy Collins delivers the most ridiculous Barry White styled narration at the beginning of a song, and it is perfection.
“Now, I don't know what you did when you did what you did
But you did it, girl”
Phenomenal.
With an album this fun, I hope to see them in concert. I’ll be scouring the inter webs every week for ticket releases.