Bruno Mars remains known as a master of groovy, funk-infused love songs, from his early hits like That’s What I Like and Versace on the Floor in 2016 and 2017 to his debut song Just The Way You Are in 2010. With the release of An Evening With Silk Sonic in 2021, Mars has further solidified his reputation, blending nostalgia, funk, and romance into a sound that feels both timeless and unmistakably his own.

However, Mars has expanded his musical palette through collaborations such as Die With A Smile with Lady Gaga, and the smash hit APT with Rosé, proving that love songs can swing from heartfelt ballads to playful, lighthearted tunes.

After The Romantic dropped on Feb. 27, it’s no surprise that fans are eager to see how Mars translated his recent collaboration success into his solo work after a 10-year hiatus from releasing a full-length album. Spanning nine tracks, the album pays homage to his signature style while also exploring new musical textures and creative directions he has been developing over the past few years.

From funk and groove to boleros and mariachi

(Photo from Risk It All - Official Music Video @brunomars/YouTube)

Mars embraces his Puerto Rican roots with The Romantic, weaving vibrant Latino influences into the album’s soundscape. This is particularly prominent in the opening track, Risk It All, with its bolero-infused melodies and a sweeping mariachi verse that feels romantic.

While in his previous album, 24k Magic, we see Mars play the suave, gold-chained showman basking in retro-funk bravado, The Romantic shows a mature loverman dedicated to his lover and ready to settle down. The grooves still shimmer as polished, deliberate, and unmistakably Mars, but they pulse with a different angle that sees romance not as performance but as vulnerability.

The lyrics of the fourth track, titled God Was Showing Off, are laced with genuine devotion, carried by a soul-tinged ballad that strips the album down to its vulnerable core. Listening to it feels like a warm buzz in your chest, as if the words were written and sung with you in mind. It’s intimate without being overstated, heartfelt without excess.

In songs Why You Wanna Fight?, Nothing Left, and Dance With Me, Mars allows cracks to show beneath the polish. These tracks lean into tension, the misunderstandings, the almost-goodbyes, and the quiet desperation that lingers when love feels just slightly out of reach.

While the album focuses on the loverman that Mars has transformed into, he has not entirely shed his suave persona. In the second track, Cha Cha Cha, pulsating bossa nova rhythms intertwine with self-assured, flirtatious lyrics that echo his perfected charm. The difference from his previous sound is restraint. Now, the confidence feels grounded rather than boastful. He’s no longer flexing for the room—just serenading them to his lover.

That balance becomes even clearer when he leans back into the groove. In the lead single I Just Might, he briefly revisits the slick, bass-driven bounce that first cemented his pop dominance. Yet, even here, the groove serves the narrative of devotion rather than ego, blending his showman persona with the sincerity that defines this new chapter.

This equilibrium reaches its perfect balance in the sixth and seventh tracks. Here, Mars fuses the album’s sincerity and suave with funk-infused melodies in On My Soul, and with a slithering groove and percussion thrust in So Serious.

Refined romance

(Photo from I Just Might- Official Music Video @brunomars/YouTube)

As an avid listener of Mars, this album may not surpass my favorite, An Evening With Silk Sonic, yet it’s impossible to overlook the meticulous craftsmanship throughout The Romantic. From the culturally rich, Latin-infused melodies and storytelling to the lyrics that remind us romance is alive and heartfelt, the album stands as a polished, vibrant, and emotionally resonant work.

The Romantic is proof that Mars continues to evolve without losing the essence that makes him unmistakably him.

Beyond technical brilliance, what makes The Romantic compelling is its honesty. Mars doesn’t just perform love—he inhibits it, letting listeners feel the yearning and playful confidence of a lovestruck man immersed in romance. Each track balances nuance and flair, demonstrating that vulnerability can coexist with charisma.

While it may not redefine his discography, the album affirms Mars’ mastery of melody, groove, and heartfelt storytelling, offering a rich listening experience that resonates long after the final note ends.

For listeners who love Mars for his previous works on 24k Magic, The Romantic may take some time to settle in. It's slower and more introspective with romantic Latin music, contrasting the high-energy funk and feel-good lyrics of his earlier hits. Those who didn’t connect with An Evening With Silk Sonic might find parts of this album repetitive, as it leans heavily on smooth, melodic balladry and refined production rather than bold, experimental surprise.

But there’s no harm in giving it a listen to experience the world of refined romance that Bruno Mars has encapsulated in The Romantic.