Singer Bruno Mars, best known for the hit songs “When I Was Your Man” and “Grenade,” released his highly anticipated fourth album, “The Romantic,” on Feb. 27, marking a decade since the release of his last album, 24K Magic, in 2016.
I Just Might
The first song, “I Just Might”, was released as a surprise on Jan. 9 prior to the rest of the album.
The song has a very late 1970’s early 1980’s music vibe and has very much the ordinary Bruno Mars love song vibe to it, enhancing Mars’s loverboy image. The song’s tempo is slow, but it has a funky pop rhythm that makes it a very danceable song. It becomes more addicting the more you listen to it as it brings a smile to your face. However, I would not recommend this song when you are locking in for an exam you have the next day since you will get distracted easily!
4.5/5 crabs.
Risk It All
“Risk It All” has been gaining popularity on TikTok because of the background music having a mariachi band in the background. It is slower than “I Just Might, and the lyrics are very sentimental, as Mars describes risking everything he has for his lover. If you enjoy a slow mariachi beat with soothing lyrics, this would be a great listen.
4/5 crabs.
Cha Cha Cha
“Cha Cha Cha” also has a mariachi vibe, but is slightly faster than “Risk It All”. As another love song, Bruno brings out his loverboy image as he asks you to “cha cha cha” with him on the dance floor! Overall, it is a very nice song, but there is nothing really special about it.
3.5/5 crabs.
God Was Showing Off
In contrast with the previous two songs, “God Was Showing Off” has more of a slow, funky Bachata feel, and was written alongside famous music producer D’Mile, who has written hits for R&B singers like Rihanna and Mary J. Blige! The lyrics are also a self-esteem boost towards one’s outer and inner beauty.
4.5/5 crabs.
Why You Wanna Fight?
“Why You Wanna Fight?” is the longest song in the album and has more sorrowful lyrics as Mars asks his lover to return after a fight and admits to his wrongdoings. The song has a slow tempo, similar to his other hit “Leave the Door Open,” which he wrote with Anderson Paak and Silk Sonic.
3.5/5 crabs.
On My Soul
“On My Soul” has a very disco-like vibe with the notable lyric that sticks out is “Turns out you don’t need a rocket ship…To find your own shooting star,” which argues that you don’t need to have certain abilities in order to pursue your dreams.
4.5/5 crabs.
Something Serious
“Something Serious” is a casual “I want to be your lover” type of song. Throughout the song, however, there is a slightly annoying instrument in the background that resembles a squeaky chair and doesn’t fit in the rest of the song.
3/5 crabs.
Nothing Left
“Nothing Left” has a similar vibe to his famous collaboration with Lady Gaga in “Die with a Smile”. The song’s lyrics also recall the vibe of his song “Grenade,” and the fact that Mars combined both ideas in one song is not only genius, but makes the song more catchy.
4.5/5 crabs.
Dance With Me
Last but not least, “Dance With Me” takes a more sentimental and slower turn on “Cha Cha Cha”.
3/5 crabs.
