After a decade-long hiatus from solo projects, Bruno Mars has returned with The Romantic, a streamlined nine-track album amassing his best elements from previous projects.
The album affirms Mars’s status as “king of easy listening” with smooth pop and soul ballads that live up to its romantic title. Upbeat, groovy funk tracks are also present, a staple in his discography.
The Romantic remains consistent with the brand Mars has personified throughout his almost 16-year career, with some tracks sounding almost too familiar. Thus, the album lacks innovation, sticking to the sound fans crave, while leaving casual listeners wanting more than a recycled bag of old tricks.
Mars’s artistic skills lie in his ability to combine genres into a unique sound. Elements of pop, soul, R&B, rock and Latin genres such as mariachi and cha-cha are all present throughout The Romantic and much of his other works.
The combination of styles seems to invoke rawer, deeper emotions and a richer mood. Mars’s ability to blend nostalgic genres with contemporary pop has inspired a retro resurgence in pop music, as seen by modern artists such as Leon Bridges, Greta Van Fleet, Harry Styles, Thee Sacred Souls and many more.
The album’s biggest risk was, ironically, the opening track “Risk It All.” Kicking off the project with a slower, acoustic track with a thin sound was a bold move, especially considering the fuller, more energetic tracks to come. This creative decision stood out to me as something that made the project more unique and thoughtful.
Other standouts include “God Was Showing Off,” with its sultry lyrics that perfectly fit Mars’s romantic essence, and “On My Soul” with a catchy hook and a melody that’s impossible not to dance to. I enjoyed these songs and think they saved the album from becoming forgettable. Again, a Mars album would be incomplete without a few loud, showy tracks like these.
The album’s momentum wears off in the last few tracks, leaving a weak ending. Nonetheless, listeners can’t deny that the project has its remarkable moments, and they are stellar when they do happen.
Despite the fact that The Romantic is well into Mars’s comfort zone, his signature style is tried and true. The comeback album deeply solidifies Mars’s persona, one that is arguably so refined it doesn’t need changing. He definitely left well enough alone with this one, and who are we to complain?
Photo by: John V. Esparza