Bruno Mars’ The Romantic; Nostalgia, Neon Brass, and a Love Letter to Another Era
POP TINGZ RATING
7/10
Nearly a decade after his last solo album in 2016, Bruno Mars returns with The Romantic, a nine-track project steeped in old-school devotion and vintage warmth. In the years since, Mars has dominated charts through collaborations and Silk Sonic’s retro revivalism, but The Romantic marks his long-awaited solo reintroduction, one that leans heavily into Latin-pop textures and Chicano soul influences.
Produced entirely by Mars alongside D’Mile, with longtime collaborators Philip Lawrence and Brody Brown contributing to the songwriting, the album exists within a very specific sonic temperature: warm, analog, and romantic to its core. Bright brass arrangements, congas, and the unmistakable presence of The Hooligans shape a record that feels lovingly handcrafted (even when it occasionally feels stuck in the past).
The album opens beautifully with “Risk It All,” a stripped-back Spanish guitar ballad that slowly blooms into a mariachi-inspired dreamscape. Trumpets swell gradually as Mars delivers grand romantic declarations with absolute sincerity. It’s undeniably classic (perhaps even generic in structure) but emotionally powerful nonetheless. Every line lands like a cinematic confession, making it one of the album’s strongest moments and an ideal introduction to its aesthetic.
“Cha Cha Cha” continues the Latin influence, blending mariachi flourishes with playful modern lyricism. Mars’ humor sneaks through in lines like “What good is beauty if the booty can’t find the beat?”, a reminder that beneath the old-school polish, he still thrives on charm and wit.
The lead single, “I Just Might,” arrives with disco-pop sparkle and funk brightness. As his 10th Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, it carries undeniable polish, though within the album it feels more serviceable than spectacular, a familiar groove rather than a defining statement.
Mars reaches higher emotional ground on “God Was Showing Off,” a lush, drum-driven track where he elevates his lover to divine status. His vocal runs are spectacular, effortlessly sliding between falsetto and soul croon, while the production’s sincerity recalls Silk Sonic’s theatrical romanticism, particularly “Smokin’ Out the Window.”
Mid-album cuts like “Why You Wanna Fight” slow the pace with electric guitar melancholy, while “On My Soul” restores the groove with funky rhythms and classic Mars devotion: “I’ma love you like you’ve never been loved before.” The standout, however, is “Something Serious,” a Motown-inspired ensemble moment that feels transported from another era entirely. Cinematic and richly layered, it captures the timeless romance Mars clearly reveres.
Later, “Nothing Left” pivots toward country-inflected balladry, echoing the emotional delivery of When I Was Your Man. Its blown-out power-ballad climax and soaring guitar riff showcase Mars’ vocal control at its most dramatic. Unfortunately, “Dance With Me” closes the album on a comparatively flat note, pleasant but forgettable, lacking the emotional punch of earlier tracks.
Across The Romantic, Mars seems intentionally suspended in time. The Latin-pop inflections, nostalgic arrangements, and Chicano soul palette create an immersive aesthetic that’s easy to fall into. After such a long absence, the warmth is undeniably comforting. Yet the album occasionally feels too content living within its influences rather than pushing beyond them.
Still, resistance is futile. Bruno Mars remains one of pop’s most natural performers, and even when The Romantic plays it safe (and at times, boring), its craftsmanship and sincerity shine through. After nine years away, the album doesn’t reinvent Bruno Mars very much; it reminds us why we fell for him in the first place.
