After years of anticipation, pop and R&B icon Bruno Mars returned with his latest album, “The Romantic.” Having built a reputation for smooth vocals and timeless hits, especially in the 2010s, Mars once again delivered a project that highlights his unique blend of pop, soul and R&B.
Growing up listening to him, it felt like it had been an eternity since he released his last solo studio album, “24K Magic”, back in 2016. Although we’ve seen him featured in recent hit songs “APT.” alongside ROSÉ and “Die with a Smile” with Lady Gaga, Mars was not releasing music as often as he had been in the past; however, the decade-long wait for his solo album was worth it because this album did not disappoint.
This album had also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart on its debut day. Several tracks on the album quickly garnered attention from fans, including “I Just Might”, which has garnered over 227 million plays, according to Spotify.
“The Romantic”, unlike his previous albums, isn’t packed with the upbeat, funk-inspired songs, but leans more into softer melodies and romantic storytelling, giving more of an intimate than energetic vibe.
Throughout the album, Mars focuses heavily on lyrical themes of love, heartbreak and reflection, allowing his vocals to take center stage in this project. Emotion is another major takeaway from this project, as Mars explores the complexities of relationships, balancing moments of vulnerability with the confident declarations of love. The narration feels personal, making the songs resonate with listeners who appreciate music driven by both melody and meaning.
From start to finish, the album offers strong replay value. This is definitely an album to listen to on a light night drive. While it may not have as many upbeat tracks as some of Mars’ earlier projects, the slower, more soulful direction allows listeners to appreciate his vocals and songwriting even more.
Overall rating: 9.5/10, I would definitely recommend giving it a listen.
Favorite songs:
1. “I Just Might”
2. “Risk It All”
3. “Why You Wanna Fight”
