Bruno Mars’ The Romantic’ overview: A enjoyable throwback assortment for lovers

Bruno Mars is again — did you miss him?

The 16-time Grammy Award-winning Mars is an undisputable hitmaker, and that pattern continues with the nine-track “The Romantic,” his fourth full-length album. Just over half-hour in runtime, it’s a quick return for the singer; that is additionally his first solo launch in a decade, succeeding 2016’s groovy, R&B-inspired assortment “24K Magic.” (Not that he’s been absent. There’s his mega-popular collaborative mission with Anderson. Paak, Silk Sonic, and his latest hits “Die with a Smile” with Lady Gaga in addition to “APT.” with Blackpink’s Rosé.)

On “The Romantic,” retro-pop is the secret and Mars stays one of many nice, spirited nostalgists.

That’s clear from the lead single “I Just Might.” It’s all feel-good disco-pop-soul, a sentimental performer giving his escapist viewers precisely what they crave: a cool reprieve from anyplace that isn’t the dance ground. Itch, meet scratch.

Mars’ huge “24K Magic” channeled ‘90s throwbacks (listen to “Finesse” and try not to think of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe) as much as it did Mars’ biggest affect, Michael Jackson. “The Romantic” does one thing comparable with the addition of some new reference factors. Press play on the Philly soul-informed “Cha Cha Cha” and be met with an sudden interpolation of Juvenile’s 2003 smash “Slow Motion.”

Another standout, “Something Serious,” sounds much like Santana’s 1970 hit cowl of the Tito Puente basic “Oye Como Va.” Vintage Latin music seems to be a brand new fascination, additionally evidenced within the acoustic opener “Risk It All,” a near-mariachi ballad with classical guitar.

There are few weak moments throughout “The Romantic.” Any criticism is finest reserved for its most imitative moments: “On My Soul” is imbued with bodily pleasure, however it additionally bares putting resemblance to Curtis Mayfield’s “Move on Up.” Elsewhere, Mars practically self-plagiarizes: “Why You Wanna Fight?” may very well be in Silk Sonic’s discography. Both are ripe for a superb time. As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it. And for Mars, might alterations be few and slight.

This isn’t an entirely new performer, however as one of the crucial fashionable modern artists whose made a reputation on wistful, throwback tunes — who’s asking Mars for reinvention? That has by no means been his principal concern. Groove has all the time been his precedence. And on “The Romantic,” the world is bound to hitch him on the celebration as soon as once more.

Prepare to listen to these songs at weddings — and in every single place else — for the foreseeable future.