“The Romantic,” as Bruno Mars’ fifth album, also marks his first solo album in almost a decade. This is not to say that Mars has been missing from the public eye in the past 10 years — rather, he has experienced numerous successes. His 2021 collaborative album with Silk Sonic, appropriately titled “An Evening with Silk Sonic,” won four Grammys. His recent two collaborations with Lady Gaga and ROSÉ, titled “Die With A Smile” and “APT.” respectively, were some of the biggest hits of 2024. “The Romantic,” although only nine tracks, promises more smash hits and Mars’ signature blend of pop and R&B sounds.
Mars kicks off the album with a risky move in “Risk It All” — a ballad as the first track. Usually, the first song off an album is energetic in an attempt to hook the listener. The gamble pays off, however, as the mariachi trumpets and soulful strings allow the romantic tone to shine through, bringing to mind an intimate candlelight dinner scene and promising to be a popular pick to play at weddings. Lyrically, “Risk It All” is like the more mature and less toxic sibling to Mars’ 2010 hit song “Grenade.” The promises to do anything for a loved one are echoed in both, but “Risk It All” is a much more romantic gesture of devotion than the obsessive infatuation of “Grenade.”
The Latin-infused sound influences continue to be at the forefront in the second track, “Cha Cha Cha.” Although arguably lyrically uninteresting, the song is instead more elevated by its smooth, playful sound, which incorporates an interpolation of Juvenile’s 2003 song “Slow Motion.” This unexpected lyrical sample adds an intriguing aspect to the song. A mention of Mars’ own Vegas jazz bar, “The Pinky Ring,” aligns with the ‘70s-inspired R&B sound of “Cha Cha Cha.” This blended result is a flirty track that seems like it would play in the background of a dimly lit lounge.
The lead single for the album, “I Just Might,” has already seen its fair share of success. Most notably, it is Mars’ first song ever to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Similar to Mars’ other singles in the past, “I Just Might” follows a bit more of the disco-pop mainstream sound that is currently trendy. It’s not hard to see why it was the chosen single, however, as its tune is undeniably catchy and memorable. Although lyrically simplistic, its pure bright joy is infectious and it’s sure to become instantly replayable.
True to the album title, “God Was Showing Off” really leads into the romantic side of Mars’ songs. The lyrics describe his lover as divine and beautiful on a biblical scale. It toes the line at being almost too cheesy, but still comes across as sincere. With its ‘70s R&B polish, layered backing vocals and ad-libs, the song is sonically more similar to Mars’ 2021 collaboration with Anderson .Paak and Silk Sonic, “Smokin Out The Window.”
“Why You Wanna Fight?” is another track evoking the R&B groove from “An Evening With Silk Sonic,” this time more reminiscent of the chart-topper “Leave the Door Open.” Although still a romantic song, “Why You Wanna Fight?” is the first on “The Romantic” to introduce lyrical uncertainty on Mars’ described relationship. Still, it manages to preserve the romantic spirit by showcasing Mars’ yearning and his desire to make it up to this person.
Mars picks up the pace with this next track and launches into a catchy, albeit lyrically repetitive, tune. The ad-libs and lively, groovy instrumentation make “On My Soul” the perfect song to dance to and it is a very radio-friendly track. Its memorable tune, upbeat pace and strong vocal performance all make “On My Soul” a strong contender to end up a big commercial success.
“Something Serious” experiments with sounds of Latin blues rock, akin to bands like Santana. The jazzy horns and percussion pulse make the track another danceable hit. Its slower, groovy pulse invites a playful and mischievous vibe and it’s reinforced by the flirtatious lyrics.
Mars returns to his older style with “Nothing Left,” combining bittersweet lyrics with more vulnerable vocals and heartfelt instrumentation. The guitar bridge adds an emotional surge to the song, which is arguably the most authentic track on the album. This penultimate track deals with themes of breakup, which are also rare on “The Romantic.” The lyrics discuss the loss of a lover, and the helplessness of trying to preserve a dying relationship.
It is perhaps appropriate that “The Romantic” starts and ends with songs perfect to play at a wedding. As the final song, “Dance With Me” slows down the tempo, incorporating layered harmonies and swelling to an emotional grand finish that concludes the album on a note of hopefulness and tender love.
Ultimately, “The Romantic” is largely lacking in terms of lyricism, instead relying on its wide variation in instrumentation and Mars’ signature strong vocal abilities. Influences include a blend of Latin pop, R&B and ‘70s disco pop, showcasing Mars’ range as a performer. “The Romantic” does not add anything revolutionary to Mars’ catalog, but it’s an enjoyable listen nonetheless. It’s a quick, light and fun album that’s decidedly easy to listen to but primarily prioritizes vibes and groove over depth. Although it’s exciting to see Mars back in the spotlight with his fourth solo album, “The Romantic” doesn’t exactly live up to the iconic status of his earlier successes.
3/5
