SUMMARY
Bruno Mars’ new album, “The Romantic,” was released on Feb. 27, and defines his romantic persona through 1970s Latin-pop melodies and vulnerable, devoted lyrics focusing on rekindling love, and a nostalgic, passionate atmosphere.
LIKEABLE MOMENTS
The Lyrics
Many fans enjoy the album, but it is the lyrics that draw them in. The lyrics offer emotional escapism as they tap into connection, along with evoking intense nostalgia. The music provides a space where the listeners can escape reality and fantasize about their ideal romantic situation, whether they’re in a relationship or not. Many people won’t admit but when songs are related to the themes of love, it is extremely powerful. When the lyrics were talking about yearning and vulnerability, it addresses the core of human desire for connection. The album’s strong sense of desire is something the fans really connect with. During the song “Risk It All”, the lyrics–“I’d risk it all for you / To hold your hand and call you mine”–are exactly what the fans love when it comes to yearning because it is relatable when it comes to a relationship that doesn’t show that vulnerability and admitting what they are willing to do for you. It shows a passionate era of music when it comes to the lyrics, because the majority of love songs nowadays only talk about the body rather than the emotional connection to love and/or relationships
The Rhythm
The rhythm is something the fans are loving about this album. Instead of Mars’s regular approach of blending R&B, funk, and pop, he has a more 1970s soul and disco-influenced rhythm that his fans are eating up. The rhythm has a danceable kinda like “pick-me-ups” kick in it, which creates a loving yet comforting atmosphere for the fans. The album offers highly danceable rhythms and groovy tracks that make the album more enjoyable, as it can be suitable for any type of situation, such as weddings or even something as simple as driving to school. But what I like most about the rhythm is the Latin-pop/rock he gives on the album. I haven’t really heard a lot of songs that have Latin-pop/rock, besides Selena Quintanilla, but the way Mars connected to his heritage and how he played mariachi very correctly with the trumpets, violins, and even the guitar, in “Risk It All,” and how beautifully he made it.
The Vocals
Many fans know that Bruno Mars’s vocals are off the charts, but in this album, they are simply beautiful. His vocals carry a sense of adoration and passion, especially in “Nothing Left”, “Dance With Me,” and “God Was Showing Off.” It simply allows the listener to have more and more connections with the theme of romance or love in any type of relationship. Mars has smooth yet very strong vocals that give you the chills, especially if you have seen him in person. He has created the vocal performances, perfectly blending high-quality vocals with soulful sound, which creates intimate emotions. Along with him, layering them from gentle to powerful, high-note belts, the range that keeps the album feeling harmonious with the vocal performances elevating the romantic themes, songs like “God Was Showing Off” and “On My Soul.”
Relatable Themes
When fans think about love songs, many will think about the yearning and vulnerability that come with it, which is exactly what Bruno Mars gave them. He didn’t make the album as something that is only about a woman’s body, but more about wanting to keep her in his life and have that emotional connection. His fans, including myself, can share an experience of navigating personal relationship milestones, or even during the heartbreak season. It was a pleasure when the themes were about fighting for a relationship and/or cherishing a partner, because when I listen to love songs nowadays, it doesn’t have the same sparks as ‘The Romantic.” It doesn’t have that vulnerability that I will be searching for, because love can bring out so many aspects other than physical connection. His album will also foster empathy and aid in processing personal emotional pain, such as a form of therapy when you lose your love. He makes the album an emotional journey, which has a strong impact because he focuses on a consistent, deeply engaging experience rather than an album that doesn’t have any meaning at all.
“DISAPPOINTING” MOMENTS
Short songs
While I have extremely enjoyed “The Romantic”, I was very disappointed that there weren’t a whole lot of songs, and what was there was shorter than I had hoped. The whole album is only about 31 minutes long, and I was hoping he could have made more of it. Considering that this is his first album after 10 years, I would have hoped he had made more songs, as I don’t want to wait another 10 years, or even more, for him to drop a whole new album. While I admire Bruno Mars as an artist, I do not like the way he goes on a long hiatus and just comes back to drop an album before leaving again. While he is living his own personal life, and I’m not saying that is wrong, that he is having a vacation, I simply wish that we could have a few more songs until he comes back with a new album.
OVERALL REVIEW:
The overall rating for this album is certainly four and a half stars. The album was enjoyable, along with danceable music, making me feel like I was at a disco party. I highly recommend listening to the album if you enjoy love songs that show the vulnerability of relationships.
