Skate (song)

The song was written by the artists alongside James Fauntleroy, Domi & JD Beck, and Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II, who produced it with Mars.

[4] On July 28, 2021, .Paak posted a picture of a red car with the phrase "You've Been Invited To Silk Sonic's Summertime Jam This Friday" on Twitter, hinting at an impending release.

"[8] On July 30, 2021, Aftermath Entertainment and Atlantic Records released "Skate" as the album's second single via digital download and streaming services in several countries.

[12] "Skate" was written by Mars, Brandon Anderson, Dernst Emile II, James Fauntleroy, Domitille Degalle, and JD Beck.

[14][15][16] The song starts as "a high-drama anthem of stormy betrayal" and evolves "into a sunburst of roller-disco elation with a melody that could've owned any summer during the [President Gerald Ford] administration".

[17] Its instrumentation includes "rhythmic guitars, glockenspiel, Latin percussion, back-talking string section and the rising bridge" with a late '70s sound, as well as congas.

[29] In a similar view, Scott Croker of Idolator said Silk Sonic issued "another dose of '70s nostalgia", describing the track as "a funky smooth tune".

[20] Consequence's staff and Mary Siroky described "Skate" as a "flashy, '70s jam" and an "euphoric groove with an absolutely unstoppable string section".

[18] Similarly, Sophie Caraan from Hypebeast said the duo take "structural cues from the smooth tunes of the '70s, adding layers of their harmonic vocals to pay homage" to the decade.

[32] Hot Press's Pat Carty said "Skate" sounds like a track produced by Gamble and Huff that could have been "included on a Car Wash sequel soundtrack".

[16] Althea Legaspi of Rolling Stone said Mars and .Paak delivered with their promise of a "Summertime Jam" and noted the song's "buoyant, sunny vibes".

[15] Vibe's Datwon Thomas said the duo "serve up another dance floor scorcher ... with that same ""sing-a-long feel" of" of 'Leave The Door Open' ", ultimately calling the track "stellar".

[17] In a similar review, Variety's Aswad dubbed "Skate" a "rollerena anthem" and drew attention to the "priceless" verses such as "In a room full of dimes, you'd be a hundred dollars" and "You smell better than a barbecue".

[37] NME's Sophie Williams wrote; "there are gorgeously subtle flourishes throughout" the album that are evident on "the crisp, pristine blasts of percussion that uplift...'Skate'.

"[38] Candace McDuffie, for Paste, said the song's sound "could have easily felt tired and redundant", but added there is "enough feel-good percussion and cheesy one-liners directed at a love interest to glisten and shine".

Sowing also said the song includes "a slippery synth line" and humorous verses as it compares "the emotional space between the narrator and his partner to skaters drifting apart".

[63] The music video for "Skate" was released alongside the song on July 30, 2021, and was directed by Mars and Florent Déchard, while co-directed by Philippe Tayag.

[64] The video is a "vintage visual" depicting Mars and .Paak playing drums that are backed by a band in an impromptu street party at a tropical outdoor location.

[36] Writing for American Songwriter, Tina Benitez-Eves wrote the "vintage visuals fit the blissed-out funk and soul of Silk Sonic".

[66] USA Today's Jenna Ryu said the music video shows the "'70s feel-good nostalgia" so people "feel as if they're gliding, slipping and sliding into the summer".

[67] Park from Harper's Bazaar said the video takes viewers "into summer with its warm and inviting hues, harboring the familiar feel-good disco-R&B nostalgia with its '70s-inspired fashion and cinematographic moments".