In January 2018, Bruno Mars resided alone atop the mountaintop of music. Fresh off bringing home six Grammy awards for his retro-sounding R&B masterpiece “24K Magic” and a world tour spanning six continents and grossing over $200 million, the Puerto Rican/Hawaiian/Filipino global superstar was breaking records and cementing himself as one of the defining voices of the 21st century.
However, in the years since, Bruno Mars’ legacy grew to become synonymous with a different record: longest gap between a Grammy Album of the Year Winner and its studio follow-up. Despite achieving great success with collaborations such as “Die With a Smile” with Lady Gaga, “APT” with BLACKPINK’s Rosé and “An Evening with Silk Sonic” with Anderson Paak, the music world waited nine years, three months and nine days for Bruno Mars’ fourth solo studio album entitled “The Romantic.”
With a record-setting wait came sky-high expectations, and Mars delivered. In just nine songs and 31 minutes, Mars beautifully toed the line between the experimental sounds of Latin America and his tried-and-true original sound that elevated him to superstardom in the early 2010s.
The album opens with “Risk It All,” a mariachi-infused track that immediately signals Mars’s willingness to stretch beyond his comfort zone. Paired with romantic lyrics reminiscent of “Grenade,” one of Mars’ first-ever hits back in 2010, the production is best described as cinematic, blending traditional brass and guitar elements with the polished pop tendencies that define Mars’ discography. The layered instrumentation and harmonious arrangements make the track feel regal, setting an ambitious tone for the long-awaited album.
Mars’ vocal ability, long regarded as one of his greatest strengths, takes center stage on the rock-inspired “Nothing Left.” Stripped of some of the heavier production found elsewhere on the album, the track allows Mars to fully showcase his range and vocal control. His voice moves effortlessly between delicate falsetto and powerful belts, giving the song a raw, heartfelt quality that highlights just how technically gifted he remains nearly two decades into his career.
Lyrically, the album shines brightest in the back-to-back track pairing of “God Was Showing Off” and “Why You Wanna Fight.” While still delivering vocal performances that remain unparalleled among male artists today, both tracks display a level of writing that balances cleverness with sincerity. “God Was Showing Off” seamlessly expresses the awe of complete adoration for someone, while “Why You Wanna Fight” takes a more introspective, yearning approach. Both tracks provide thoughtful lyrical moments while keeping the middle of the album from drifting into forgetful territory.
If there is a single moment that captures the album at its absolute peak, it arrives with “Dance With Me,” the album’s closing track. Historically, dedicated fans of Bruno Mars often declare his final track as the album’s most impressive, referencing “If I Knew” off of “Unorthodox Jukebox” or “Too Good to Say Goodbye” off of “24K Magic.” In this regard, “The Romantic” follows suit. The track is nothing short of perfection, effortlessly combining groove, melody and charm in a way that only Mars is capable of. From the silky rhythm section to the infectious hook, the track flows effortlessly from one section to the next, telling the powerful, all-too-relatable tale of trying to hold on to a fleeting relationship for just one more moment.
Ultimately, “The Romantic” proves that even after nearly a decade away from solo releases, Bruno Mars has lost none of the qualities that made him a global superstar. The album is concise yet impactful, blending polished production, exceptional vocals and thoughtful songwriting into a project that rewards repeat listens. After nine years of anticipation, Mars delivered a reminder that true pop craftsmanship never goes out of style.
Devan Sutaria is a senior double majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology
