‘I Just Might’ love Bruno Mars now: A review of ‘The Romantic’

I will preface this with an admission that the majority of my prior Bruno Mars listening time comes from the radio in Target and my mom’s dinner-cooking playlist.

I didn’t even realize the drought that his fans have been in waiting for new music.

Silk Sonic, a duo with Mars and Anderson .Paak released their album — “An Evening with Silk Sonic” — five years ago, and Mars released his last solo album — “24K Magic” — almost 10 years ago.

Mars seems to have found his niche in creating tributes to the past. Mars has a voice meant for that crooning, passionate, love song style of the ’70s.

The first song in the album, “Risk it all,” starts with impeccable yearner vibes. Almost feeling like a tribute to his 2010 hit “Grenade,” the song includes Mars claiming that he would do “anything” to simply be by his lover’s side.

If anyone saw me clumsily grooving my way through Armstrong Student Center, please know I was listening to “Cha Cha Cha.” I cannot dance to save my life, but the tapping drums and trumpets really get to me. It creates a dream-like quality while still being fun and retro.

“I Just Might” is another instant classic, but of course, I’m a sucker for thematic ad-libs, which we hear when he calls out “Hey DJ!” before the music swells. Putting this on full blast in my dorm can almost make me feel like I’m out on the dance floor alongside Mars and the DJ.

It has already been added to my “Summertime by the pool” playlist, and if Oxford weather ever makes up its mind, I’d love to break it out.

“God Was Showing Off” is cheesy, but it uses that to its advantage. I consider the lines “Is ‘Heaven’ your name/ Or is it ‘Divine’?/ Don’t matter, girl, it’s gonna look good next to mine” to be some of the best in the song. I think it could have easily leaned more into the over-the-top corniness, making it seem more intentional in its cliche sound.

“Why You Wanna Fight” reminds me strongly of his “Silk Sonic” era, so much so that I immediately texted my mom, who loves the song, “Leave the Door Open.” The background vocals do a lot of work adding in a groovy background harmony. The punchy vocals also add a lot, keeping the song moving in both a fun and rhythmic way.

“On My Soul” is fast-paced and fun. I have seen it compared to Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up,” and as soon as I hit play on Mayfield, I could see the similarities. Mars laces together new and old so seamlessly that it doesn’t feel like a rip of it, but a tribute.

I was a Phineas and Ferb kid growing up, and as soon as I heard “Something Serious,” I was picking up a very similar vibe. It blends aspects of War’s “Low Rider” and Santana’s cover of Tito Puente’s “Oye Como Va.” It’s fun and cowbell-filled, and it is guaranteed to get my leg bouncing.

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Mars is not known for writing breakup songs — I think that's for a reason. I love him as a yearning loverboy, and so naturally, “Nothing Left” ranks rather low on my personal list.

I feel as though it’s out of place in the big picture of the album, and especially not as the eighth song. I would cut it a little more slack if it were the last send-off, but considering we go right back to normal Mars, I hesitate to give it that allowance.

On the topic of the final send-off, I think it was nailed with “Dance With Me.” It's the perfect way to end, especially with showcasing how well he can belt.

Personally, I believe that this album was worth the 10-year wait. Mars has very obviously taken this time to hone his craft, learning both about his strengths as an artist as well as finding inspiration from his forebearers.

I just hope we don’t have to wait another 10 years for more.

Rating: 9/10

Hannaer@miamioh.edu