Bruno Mars New Album ‘The Romantic’ slows things down
Bruno Mars New Album ‘The Romantic’ slows things down
A decade after 24K Magic cemented his status as one of modern pop’s most meticulous hitmakers, Bruno Mars has returned with his fourth solo album, The Romantic. Released via Atlantic Records, the nine-track project marks his first solo body of work since 2016 and arrives with the kind of global spectacle only he can orchestrate.
Alongside the album, Mars has unveiled the official music video for ‘Risk It All’, co-directed by the artist himself and Daniel Ramos. It’s a fitting reintroduction: cinematic, tightly choreographed, and emotionally dialled up without losing the polish that has long defined his catalogue.
A Different Kind of Bruno
If 24K Magic was maximalist funk and razor-sharp swagger, The Romantic suggests something more considered. The title alone signals a pivot. Across tracks like ‘God Was Showing Off’, ‘On My Soul’ and ‘Something Serious’, Mars leans into grand declarations and unguarded sentiment, without sacrificing melody or momentum.
The lead single, ‘I Just Might’, has already made history as his first No.1 debut on the Billboard Hot 100 and his tenth chart-topper overall. It’s a reminder that even after a ten-year solo hiatus, Mars doesn’t return quietly.
‘Risk It All’, meanwhile, feels designed for arenas: sweeping, urgent and built around the kind of chorus that lingers long after the final note. The accompanying visual amplifies that intensity, blending classic showmanship with a more mature, cinematic edge.
Global Activations, Old-School Romance
True to form, the rollout extends far beyond streaming platforms. In cities across the globe, mobile flower trucks have been handing out roses, while ‘love lock’ walls invite fans to quite literally attach their own romantic gestures to the album’s release. It’s theatrical, but it’s also tactile a clever nod to old-school romance in a hyper-digital age.
For an artist who has always understood the power of presentation, The Romantic feels less like a standard drop and more like an event.
A Decade of Momentum
The timing is significant. Since his last solo project, Mars hasn’t exactly been absent. His collaborative single ‘Die With A Smile’ with Lady Gaga became the fastest song in Spotify history to reach one billion streams and topped the Billboard Global 200 for 18 weeks. ‘APT.’ with ROSÉ went on to dominate global charts, earning multiple award nominations and taking home Song of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards.
In January 2025, Mars became the first artist in Spotify history to surpass 150 million monthly listeners a statistic that underlines not just relevance, but sustained cultural impact.
Long before that, 24K Magic (which earned Album of the Year at the GRAMMY® Awards) reinforced his ability to balance critical acclaim with commercial dominance. And with seven RIAA Diamond-certified singles including ‘Just the Way You Are’, ‘Grenade’, and ‘That’s What I Like’ his catalogue remains one of the most durable in contemporary pop.
The Romantic – Tracklist
- Risk It All
- Cha Cha Cha
- I Just Might
- God Was Showing Off
- Why You Wanna Fight?
- On My Soul
- Something Serious
- Nothing Left
- Dance With Me
At nine tracks, the album is concise. There’s no filler, no overextended runtime just a tightly curated set that feels intentional. In an era of bloated streaming-era albums, that restraint feels refreshing.
The Return of the Craftsman
What makes The Romantic compelling isn’t just the hiatus narrative. It’s the sense that Mars has returned with clarity. Over the last decade, pop has shifted towards algorithm-friendly minimalism and viral hooks. Mars, by contrast, continues to prioritise musicianship, live instrumentation, and the architecture of a properly built song.
He remains, above all, a performer. A showman. But The Romantic suggests he’s also comfortable peeling back the glitter to reveal something softer beneath.
Ten years on from 24K Magic, Bruno Mars hasn’t chased the moment he’s waited until it felt right. And in doing so, he reminds us that true pop longevity isn’t about constant presence. It’s about knowing exactly when to step back into the spotlight.