Photo courtesy of Guise Archives, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.
After a decade of not releasing an album, Bruno Mars returned with his new album, The Romantic, a nine-song album exploring love with a nostalgic sound.
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By Carla Morales
TAMPA, Fla. — Peter Gene Hernandez, better known as Bruno Mars, is Spotify’s current No. 1 artist after releasing his first album in 10 years. Known for hits like “Locked Out of Heaven” and “That’s What I Like,” Mars is making a major return to the music industry. Although this album consists of nine songs and is only 31 minutes long, fans have waited nearly a decade for new music from the 16-time Grammy winner. The release marks a long-anticipated return for Mars, whose signature blend of pop, R&B, and funk dominated through the 2010s.
The album begins with “Risk It All,” featuring beautiful melodies of trumpets and the guitar, highlighting Mars’ Puerto Rican roots. As he calls his listeners to “risk it all” for their loved ones, he portrays a message of devotion, establishing the love-focused tone for the album. The lyric “There’s nothing I won’t do, I’d risk it all for you,” reflects a willingness to sacrifice everything for someone you love. The album’s lyrics reinforce emotional vulnerability and, accompanied by warm instrumentals and a romantic rhythm, embody a welcoming tone from the opening track.
As the album progresses, listeners encounter “God Was Showing Off,” which provides a classic Bruno Mars sound. With the lyrics and sound of the song carrying a tone of romance filled with adoration, tenderness, and passion, Mars hits a new key of love. One lyric, being “The way you’re put together only God can do,” emphasizes that this song is directed towards a female loved one of Mars, suggesting that her beauty and presence feel almost divine.
Later in the album, the song “Something Serious” brings an upbeat sound that makes a listener want to get up and clap their hands to the beat. The track stood out to fans online because of Mars’ enthusiasm and relatability. The song explores a theme of wanting real relationships, a topic that extends to many younger people.
Lastly, Mars closes the album with “Dance With Me,” a slower melody that makes someone want to sway to the rhythm. This provides a strong ending to the album, as the primary lyric of the song is “dance with me, darling, dance with me just one more time,” capturing a sense of longing that remains even after the album concludes.
Students at the University of Tampa shared their thoughts on Bruno Mars’ album The Romantic.
Ernesto Ramon, a ‘28 finance major, said: “My first impressions of Bruno Mars’ new album were excitement and happiness.” “I have been his fan since I was a little kid, and hearing a new album after 10 years of not releasing one made me feel like I was a kid again.”
Alfredo Drouyn, a ‘28 entrepreneurship major, weighed in as well. “It was something different, but you could still sense it wasn’t anything that was out of the norm for Bruno.”
“My first impression when I heard the new album could be summed up as intrigued and impressed,” said Leonardo Lebron, ‘27, an accounting and sports management major. “You can really hear all the different instruments that go into every song, and it was very impressive listening to how versatile and talented Bruno Mars is.”
The release of The Romantic signals a long-awaited comeback for Bruno Mars, reminding his listeners why his music has remained influential for more than a decade. With the combination of romance, upbeat and slower sounds, the album bonds longtime fans with their comfort artist.