I Stopped Listening to New Music Until I Found This Incredible Song

Summary

The author rekindled their passion for new music after discovering the song "Leave the Door Open" by Silk Sonic, a collaboration between Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, which evoked a nostalgic and visceral reaction.

Abstract

The author, Nia Simone McLeod, shares her journey of breaking a music discovery rut with the discovery of "Leave the Door Open" by Silk Sonic. Despite a resolution to listen to new music, she found herself stuck in the comfort of 2000s hits. The newfound song, which seamlessly blends a 70s vibe with modern sensibilities, reignited her enthusiasm for exploring new music. The effortless harmony and nostalgic melodies of the track, along with her admiration for the artists, led to an instant connection, reminding her of the joy that comes from finding a song that resonates deeply.

Opinions

The author had a strong preference for older music, particularly from the 2000s, before discovering "Leave the Door Open."
"Leave the Door Open" by Silk Sonic is described as an exceptional song that captures the essence of easy, magical music-making.
The song's appeal lies in its effortless blend of vocals, beats, and melodies, which the author finds superior to the performances of famous magicians.
The author equates the feeling of discovering this song to other pleasant experiences like enjoying a warm beverage, feeling the sun's warmth, and savoring a cream-filled donut.
The song's nostalgic quality and the author's personal history with Bruno Mars' music contribute to its profound impact on her.
The author is motivated to continue exploring new music, recognizing the value of seeking out songs that elicit strong emotional responses.

How Silk Sonic taught me to “Leave the Door Open” to new music

I’ve been failing at one of my new year’s resolutions: listening to new music. Songs from years past have been more of my vibe.

Today, on my daily walk, I listened to a playlist called “2000s Throwbacks.” Its songs included Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson,” Simple Plan’s “Perfect,” and Metro Station’s “Shake It.”

The songs I love make me feel like I can walk on air. My body melts. I dance, I sing, and I don’t care who’s watching.

Chasing that feeling energizes me. I used to go through 40+ new songs to find one or two great ones. Now, not so much.

After a drought that’s lasted for weeks, I found a new song that brings me back to that feeling: “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic.

Silk Sonic is the group name of duo Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. The two singer-songwriters were named “Silk Sonic” by Parliament-Funkadelic bassist Bootsy Collins — making this the coolest group name on the freakin’ planet.

I love Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, so this wasn’t a huge chance I was taking. But, it was a chance. I stuck my big toe in the pool of new music y’all. But — ”Leave the Door Open” is everything.

From the moment the first couple of beats hit, the feeling smacked me in the face. I was under a trance. The beat, vocals, melodies, and chorus are amazing.

The best part about the song is that it sounds so easy. Neither Anderson .Paak nor Bruno Mars seems like they’re trying too hard. It’s magic that tops David Blaine, Criss Angel, and David Copperfield combined.

Feelings that are similar to listening to a great song:

Taking the first sip of a hot cup of chamomile tea

The sun shining on your face when you step outside

When the custard in the middle of a cream-filled donut hits your tongue

Reading an email that my cold-pitch for an article was well-received

When a pair of jeans you ordered online fit just right

I’ve spent time asking myself why it was love-at-first-listen with “Leave the Door Open.” Maybe the 70-inspired vibe feeds into my need for nostalgia. Maybe the melodies remind me of my long history as a choir singer.

Maybe it’s because I’ve always loved Bruno Mars. I vividly remember listening to “Talking to the Moon”, a song from his debut album Doo-Wops and Hooligans, staring into the night sky.

Honestly, finding reasons for it seems silly. It just brings me such a visceral reaction that I feel like the song was made for me.

I’m going to make a habit out of listening to new music again. I’d be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t seek out this feeling. It is everything.

Nia Simone McLeod is a writer, content creator, and pop culture enthusiast from Richmond, Virginia. She’s the creator and editor of the Medium publications oh, write and coiled. In her newsletter, she shares her thoughts on writing, pop culture, and weird stuff on the internet.