When Bruno Mars released “24K Magic” in 2016, it was received with extensive praise in the music world. The funky R&B inspired tracks topped charts and shone on dance floors across the world.
However, he hasn’t toured since 2018, so when he announced a new album, “The Romantic,” in January, fans were thrilled.
The lead single “I Just Might” came out a few days after the announcement, creating an atmosphere of excitement for the album’s release.
Mars’ music, as always, is captivating, and “The Romantic” is no different. Although the production is stunning, the songwriting feels recycled from his earlier works, focusing on materialism and romance.
Standout tracks on the album include “Why You Wanna Fight?,” “On My Soul,” and “Something Serious,” which have more meaningful lyrics.
While singing “turns out you don’t need a rocket ship, no / to find your own shooting star,” in a verse of “On My Soul,” Mars pleads for a girl’s trust and love, including enough vulnerability to draw the listener in.
“Why You Wanna Fight?” gives the same slow, simmering message of slow heartbreak. Mars is begging his lover to see past his faults and take him back.
By the end of the nine-track album, though, it’s clear Mars’ team put a lot into the production and little effort into songwriting.
Mars’ songs often include themes of seduction, flirtation, and material culture, usually in terms of clubs, dancing, and luxury items. “The Romantic” reuses these motifs to an exhausting degree – there is very little diversity in the songwriting of the album.
This is especially disappointing because the production on the album is fantastic, featuring guitar, horns, and percussion that support Mars’ voice instead of competing for space with it.
Overall, Mars certainly delivers an album with great music. He serenades with his rich vocals and well-done production without overdoing it. However, the main drawback of the work is the bland songwriting.
I give “The Romantic” three stars out of five because while it delivers on the musical front, it leaves the listener wanting more in terms of songwriting and lyrics.
You can listen to “The Romantic” on Spotify, Apple Music, and other major streaming platforms.
