Still fresh off their 2021 release, ‘An Evening With Silk Sonic’, the supergroup ‘Silk Sonic’ show no sign of slowing down with a brand-new single, ‘Love’s Train’, a gorgeous Con Funk Shun cover.

After the success that their album proved to be, and their supporting tour not yet begun, It’s safe to say very few people expected Silk Sonic to release a new single. Even I, browsing the new tracks Spotify recommended for the day, was wide eyed when I saw ‘Love’s Train’. I thought it might’ve been a live version, though the name didn’t seem familiar. Alas, putting the track on, my ears were blessed once again. Comparing this to the original, this is a true love letter to the original version – Silk Sonic doesn’t skip a beat, and keeps to the same tempo and all. Their interpretation, however, is even more Motown-inspired, and strips the synth counter-melodies with string and horn passages, staying true to the sound Silk Sonic had established with ‘An Evening With’. The dynamic between Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars, once again, is magical. They trade off in the same ways as they had for most of their lead singles, where Mars takes pre-chorus responsibilities, while .Paak takes care of the verses. The two come in beautiful harmony for the chorus. The production is as clear as can be, and the way spacing was used to really tighten the slow-funk feel of ‘Love’s Train’ is expertly done.

‘Love’s Train’ is an homage in more ways than one, though sonically, it’s a masterpiece. The performances by everyone involved in this project is mind-blowing. What’s most heart-warming is the way they manage to pay respects to other artists, such as Earth, Wind, & Fire and The Jacksons with melody licks, rhythm switches, and vocal hiccups that are so signature to the sound of the 70s. ‘Love’s Train’, though not originally composed by Silk Sonic, might be one of their best efforts yet.

Author: Nicholas Gaudet

Music producer and writer from Dieppe, Canada.