Album Review: "The Romantic" - Bruno Mars

Ashley Adams
Mar 3
5 min read

"The Romantic" is the fifth album from talented musician Bruno Mars, his studio record consisting of love songs that bend time in regards to their meticulously crafted production and the strong sense of yearning and adoration exhibited through the lyrics.

T R A C K L I S T

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

Bruno Mars is one of the most famous popstars of the 21st century, and is considered by many to be one of the greatest vocalists since the release of his breakout debut album Doo-Wops and Hooligans in October 2010. Following the massive success of the project, he released his sophomore record Unorthodox Jukebox two years and two months later, which also contained outstanding singles. Four years later, he made a comeback album everyone anticipated and loved, the enchanting 24K Magic. In 2021, he teamed up with multi-versed musician Anderson .Paak to create the duo Silk Sonic, and together they devised the award-winning An Evening with Silk Sonic. In February 2026, Mars has released another solo project, The Romantic.

Risk It All

Mars starts off The Romantic with a symphony of trumpets and by proving he is the exact definition of the album's title with a declaration of his true love. He tells his significant other that no matter what they ask of him, no matter how big or how small, he will do it. He'll take any chance if it means it will prove his undying love to the one person he wants more than anyone else. These beautiful, personal lyrics are paired with the glorious sounds of a mariachi band playing while we get to hear Bruno's amazing vocals. This elegant track with its tempo is the perfect way to start off an album all about love.

Cha Cha Cha

Mars brings us to the dance floor with his music once again on the second track of the album, something he is best known for doing with the nightlife vibes commonly found in the lyrics and production of many of his hit songs - but this time, we are in a jazz bar underneath the moonlight. Mars has a fun time with his significant other throughout the night, swaying with her as their relationship progresses and they share their love for dancing together. As Bruno sings, we hear jazzy, lo-fi instruments and arrangements that evoke the vibes illustrated in the lyrics.

I Just Might

In the popular leading single listeners heard prior to the release of The Romantic, Mars mixes dancing and love, his iconic signature style when it comes to making music. He defines the excitement that comes with dancing as his love language, singing that this determines whether or not he plans on pursuing a relationship. Groovy guitar riffs and upbeat trumpets make up the instrumentation and soundscape of this fun and exuberant track. The melodies and adlibs Mars sing are so addicting and you will be singing "I Just Might" in your head even after just one listen.

God Was Showing Off

Mars describes his other half as angelic and ethereal in this fourth track “God Was Showing Off”. The title indicates his admiration for her immense beauty, which emphasizes throughout the song through biblical means. He sings about how his partner is one of a kind, as there is no one who can compare to their radiating beauty. As for the production, musical greatness is bestowed upon our ears yet again as we hear more arrangements of amazing trumpet playing and crisp drums that create the atmosphere of a cool and exciting summer night at an outdoor bar.

Why You Wanna Fight?

In the fifth track of The Romantic, Mars is still yearning for his one true love, and “Why You Wanna Fight?” portrays this after an argument that almost ends the relationship. Mars expresses how much he regrets getting into an argument in the first place and desperately wants his partner to take him back. The song being of a slow tempo enables the listeners to take every emotion Bruno expresses, vocally and lyrically, into account individually, emphasizing how he feels about the situation at hand. He puts a great deal of passion into his vocals, as they're accented by distinct sound effects and additions of instrumentation.

On My Soul

"On My Soul" is dignified by its electric guitar chords that pair perfectly with more stupendous notes of varying jazz instruments. The drum beat sounds like it was expertly crafted and planned out to evoke a "night out on the town in Las Vegas"-esque atmosphere that the track radiates throughout each verse and chorus. The lyrics reflect that of "Risk It All" when Mars sings about how he will do anything for love, showing his deep admiration for his significant other in the strongest way. If you thought "On My Soul" couldn't get any better, the bridge consists of Mars belting with his outstanding vocal talent.

Something Serious

In another ardor love song, "Something Serious" stresses Bruno's devotion for his relationship even further in more groovy and danceable production, supplemented by distinct drumlines and the gradual appearance of brass instruments, which have become the signature sound of The Romantic. This is what makes each track feel like the love anthem Bruno and the other virtuoso contributors of this record wanted them to be, which they achieved flawlessly, in addition to maintaining a unique zing and flare throughout the project, even when they slow the tempo down.

Nothing Left

The lyrically solemn eighth track of the album signifies the end of a long-term relationship. The dimming love once shared between Mars and his significant other is painful, but it’s more than obvious that the chemistry and passion has left the coupling, and there’s no point in continuing the partnership. However, he wants to give their love one last chance to see if the relationship can be reignited in some kind of way. A bluesy guitar, soft percussion, and jaw-dropping harmonies highlight the rest of the very lively and strong production, accentuating what Bruno sings about going through.

Dance With Me

An album about romance isn't complete without a 50's-inspired slow pop song that pulls on the heartstrings. Continuing from “Nothing Left”, the final track of The Romantic is the culmination of the main themes that were sung about throughout the record. By reintroducing dance to his dwindling relationship, which is what lead them together in the first place, he attempts to revive the immense fervor and love they had shared for one another for a long time. Although the majority of The Romantic featured buoyant songs about the start of an energetic love, the album ending with a gentle conclusion about still wanting to love and dance again shows how amazing of a storyteller Mars is.

With a music career spanning 16+ years, and a countless amount of hits under his belt, Bruno Mars has once again shown how much of a different plane his is on than everyone else regarding music. His discography is unparallel, easily shifting genres while still maintaining some of the most incredible vocals the world has heard and loved since his entrance into the music industry. When Bruno takes breaks between releasing albums, its because it takes time to perfect the art he makes, which are songs about love and dance that bring everyone together. Mars begins The Romantic Tour in April 2026, where he will sing his new wonderful album!

Written By Ashley Adams

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