by: Advika Anand
Graphics Editor
Renowned singer-songwriter Bruno Mars recently released his long-awaited solo album, The Romantic, after more than a decade of album drought. Mars is known for his blend of pop, funk, and R&B. He weaves mariachi and salsa rhythms through his new album, while maintaining his usual lively, affectionate lyrics.
Born to a Filipino mother and Puerto Rican father, Mars found a passion for music early on. His new album pays homage to his Latin roots, blended with his usual musical style. Starting off strong with Risk It All, he artfully kicks off the first 20 seconds with mariachi-style band music using an acoustic guitar. As Mars’s voice merges into the vocals, the tone takes on a more sentimental longing, feel, with light chord strums and occasional trumpets in the background. Cha Cha Cha, another Latin-esque song and one of the Romantic’s most popular tracks, opens with a mix of the Cuban Cha Cha and salsa rhythms. Through its energetic beat and catchy lyrics, the song entices listeners to sing and dance along from the very first line: “I feel like dancing.”
Beyond the Latin style, there is also a balance between more upbeat tunes and moments of reflection. The album’s lead single, I Just Might, made an especially significant impact, with its debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks since its release. This track features extremely memorable lyrics about necessary risks in love. Another song, God Was Showing Off, has a similar message, except Mars sings about how he would love a girl properly and shower her with compliments: “Is it your eyes that light my sky?/I bet in the pourin’ rain, you still shine.” Taking after the album’s name, the majority of Mars’s songs explore his relationship status through devoted and affectionate lyricism. These upbeat tunes make for a great listen to reduce boredom while performing mundane tasks to spice up your mood.
Although most of the tracks are optimistic, others convey a wistful yearning. His eighth track, Nothing Left, centers on accepting the idea that a woman with whom he once mutually shared romantic feelings no longer reciprocates them. This song has somber background music, utilizing the piano in the beginning, which gently accelerates into drums, creating a steady beat as Mars sings more passionately. Mars’s old song, When I Was Your Man, shares a similar sense of regret for losing a partner. Another tune, Dance With Me, addresses missing a lover and wanting to dance with them one last time, blending multiple components Bruno typically relies upon: meaningful lyrics and a guitar as the main instrument.
Despite not producing an album for a while, Mars’s return is a clear reminder of the sheer impact he has on the pop industry. The Romantic is a celebration of the elements that make Mars the artist he is: his Latin heritage combined with traditional pop. This album is filled with earworms that will dare you not to dance.
(Sources: Billboard, Genius, Rolling Stone)