To be a lover of soul and R&B means somewhere inside of you, there is an understanding, a connection, a longing, a deep desire, to some type of love. Whether you identify as a lighthearted, whimsical lover, or a passionate and deep romantic, there’s something in Bruno Mars’ latest album for you. Coming off his recent international tour announcement, we were anticipating a drop of hits, and Bruno doesn’t disappoint.
His nine track album, The Romantic, barely makes the cut from an EP, and is his first album of his own since 2017’s 24k Magic, this group of songs are enough to drive quadruple prices on the resale of tour tickets. Let’s just say, he knew what he was doing!
No newby to threading old school R&B into his tracks, and bridging gaps of the generations, Bruno takes us through a few genres, decades and rhythms in one track blending them meticulously throughout with seamless production.
“Risk It All,” announces the album with blaring seduction of “la trompeta” on the first track, and the old Mexican lover in me bursts with pure joy. I’m over the moon! We were missing this level of romance, where we are welcomed like we’re the lead role in a Mexican film from the Golden age.
My dad often tells the story of when he was 14 and mi abuelito (grandfather) tells him to have mi abuelita (his mama) on the outdoor veranda at 6pm sharp during one of the many family visits through México. As my dad is bringing my grandma to the veranda right on time, there is my abuelito who has found some local mariachis and he begins singing his heart out with an old Mexican love song from the street below. It’s pure romance!
This song does just that. It makes people like me, with a connection to that sound feel seen while also exposing new listeners to the sounds. The blend of these genres with R&B woven throughout the song, delivers as expected. It’s the combination many of us needed because good music makes us feel seen and heard.
I’m still on a high from watching the Bad Bunny concert, which happens to be during a football game, known as the Super Bowl. So songs like “Cha Cha Cha” just add to the feeling that Spanish music is here to stay even if it’s a ‘salt bae’ sprinkle . Bruno blends in traditional sounds with lyrics that transport us through time. The nostalgia of the 70s and 80s is infused so well it conjures images of men dressed dapper suits with hard bottom shoes, and women flaunting dresses that show a little thigh as they twirl. But, and a major but, Bruno then has the audacity to hit us with lyrics of Juvenile’s “Slow Motion” that takes us quickly back to that memory lane. With memories of ladies like me wearing Baby Phat jeans, and spending the night winin’ at some random party. He did THAT with this one!
“I Just Might” gives us some of that pop flavor that Bruno mastered over a decade ago. One of the major things we have been missing in the last decade is music that makes people want to hit the floor, begging the question “ Can this pretty little lady can actually dance.” You just “might” wanna go check out the video he dropped for this one. The energy is infectious!
We continue with weaving Spanish into songs, counting in the next track as “uno, dos, tres” on “God Was Showing Off.” This is the reminder that music has been missing live instruments on a track desperately. Our ears are tired of the same ol’ sounds and lack of complexity that only a talented full band can provide. And let’s just keep it real, he can continue to refer to us ladies as “earthangel” and tell us that God took his time on us (hair flip). We’re all ears.
We miss R&B that pushes us away from the issues we are fighting about and makes you want to quickly drop it all and make love? That’s what “Why You Wanna Fight?” does. It slides us into an image of dancing in our silky pajamas in the kitchen, with a partner willing to beg in front of your friends and family. No Shame. Bruno gives us those harmonies, flashbacks and echoes of classics, with instrumentation that naturally wears down the fight in anyone and softens the heart to ultimately give in.
Bruno continues the romance singing, “On my soul / I’ma love you like you’ve never been loved before” and for those of us who have seen him live, we are already imagining the set, the dancing and the live band. It’s an easy one to dance to, and that’s what the romantics can never deny when we’re at the show.
That funky sound we have heard from Bruno may seem like nothing new in “Something Serious,” but I think most people sleep on how intentional Bruno is as he blends his voice to seem like another instrument on the track rather than main star; a technique many fail to recognize of music from prior decades.
As we enter the eighth track, “Nothing Left”, we are gradually feeling the pull to a build up that doesn’t disappoint. The background vocals make the top of the track feel full as we ride a very smooth, almost bluesy guitar that transitions into a full electric solo. This is a great “crossover” track and we can see it easily getting placed in movies, shows and commercials. It may not be the one on repeat, but my guess is you will be hearing this song in an array of places.
As a dancer and I wish more men knew how to lead on the dance floor and the final track gives that energy. “Dance With Me” touches the old soul in me and ‘brings it on home.’ Many of us we’re raised on the 50 and60s soulful love songs and in a space where family would be dancing like the living room is dance club. This is that song that will make baby boomers feel like they know who this singer is, and make GenZ wonder why we sound like we’re at a sock-hop they read about in history class.
The album is a blend that only Bruno continues to bring to the forefront. More of this please.
We needed this intimacy. The real fans aren’t mad that it’s only nine tracks. The real music lovers are full. We are groovin’, we are ready for the tour, and we are in love! Remember it’s not how much you have, but what you do with it.
- Rebekah “WritingRebe” Espinosa
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