Sixteen-time Grammy winner Bruno Mars released his fourth studio album, The Romantic, on Feb. 27. This album is his first solo release in nearly a decade, following 24K Magic (2016), and his latest project since An Evening with Silk Sonic (2021), a collaboration with Anderson Paak and Silk Sonic.
The Romantic blends pop, soul, funk, and disco. Additionally, Mars incorporates Latin music elements, such as bolero, salsa, and mariachi, into the album, specifically on tracks “Risk It All” and “Cha Cha Cha.” The “Risk It All” music video also shows Mars accompanied by a mariachi band playing guitars, trumpets, and violins.
Spanish teacher Jamely White chose “Risk It All” as her favorite song on the album. “It brings a Hispanic mood, and it has a mariachi in it. It reminds me a lot of my parents, and it really shows [Mars’] Puerto Rican heritage,” she said.
Students also enjoyed the album’s music. “I’ve been a fan of Bruno Mars since I was a little kid. I think his new album is pretty good; it ranks pretty high compared to his others for me,” said junior Anthony Manna. “I like the different feel it has compared to his other ones, and it’s very upbeat and enjoyable to listen to.”
The Romantic has nine tracks, all of which chart on the Billboard Hot 100. The album’s single, “I Just Might,” has remained in the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine consecutive weeks. In addition, Mars has ranked second on the Billboard Artist 100 for 589 consecutive weeks.
While the album is popular among listeners, critics have offered mixed reviews. According to Pitchfork, an online music publication that reviews music, “I Just Might” resembles Leo Sayer’s 1976 hit “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing,” and “Nothing Left” sounds similar to Mars’ previous 2013 hit, “When I Was Your Man.”
The Guardian, rating the album two out of five stars, stated, “The album’s highlights are the songs that sound like songs you already know. And even the blatant homages are not good enough to prevent you from thinking you may more usefully spend your time listening to the originals. It’s perfectly pleasant, but for all the effort that has clearly gone into crafting it, this is fundamentally lazy songwriting.”
Despite criticism, fan demand remains strong. On Jan. 8, Mars announced The Romantic Tour, his first full-stadium tour in North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Presale for tickets occurred on Jan. 14, and the tour set a new Ticketmaster record for the largest single-day ticket sales in Live Nation history, with 2.1 million tickets sold.
The tour kicks off on April 10 in Las Vegas and concludes on Dec. 8 in Mexico City. It currently has 70 shows, and its opening acts feature Anderson Paak as DJ Pee Wee, Leon Thomas, Victoria Monet, and RAYE.
However, the tour has also come with higher ticket prices. “I came from a time when you could get good seats at a concert for 70 to 80 dollars. For Bruno, we paid about 200 to 300 per ticket, and they aren’t even in a good area,” said White. “I’m excited to see him with my kids, but I don’t know if the show will be worth that money.”
Even so, fans remain enthusiastic for the concert. Manna has tickets to the tour and plans to go with his family. “My dad got the tickets for us. My favorite song on the album is ‘Risk It All,’ but I’m excited to hear all of his songs live,” he said.
