Can Bruno Mars counterprogram his way to another hit album?

Bruno Mars is back with a new album called The Romantic, his first solo release since 2016’s 24k Magic. At first listen, the lead single, “I Just Might,” sounds like an outtake from 2021’s collaborative album with Anderson Paak, the Philly soul-inspired An Evening with Silk Sonic. Listen closer though and another element emerges: a fast-paced conga drum line.

The rest of Mars’s nine-track confection chases that Latin influence. This is not just another retread of 70s funk and soul. In fact, The Romantic makes the case that Mars is pop’s great counter-programmer, finding styles of the past that no one else has yet mined.

Charlie and Nate break down all the new territory covered by Mars, from Latin boleros to Cuban cha chas, Nuyorican boogaloo to a mariachi “My Way.” The results may not change your mind about Mars, but they might make you appreciate the finer points of what is sure to be an omnipresent new release. 

Links: ⁠Newsletter⁠, ⁠YouTube

Songs discussed:

• Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile
• ROSÉ, Bruno Mars - APT.
• Bruno Mars - Risk It All
• Eydie Gormé, Los Panchos - Sabor a Mí
• Frank Sinatra - My Way 
• Bruno Mars - Cha Cha Cha
• JUVENILE, Soulja Slim - Slow Motion
• Pete Rodriguez - I Like It Like That
• Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J Balvin - I Like It
• Young-Holt Unlimited - Soulful Strut
• Bruno Mars - I Just Might
• Redbone - Come and Get Your Love
• Leo Sayer - You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
• Junior Senior - Move Your Feet
• Bruno Mars - God Was Showing Off
• Billy Paul - Me and Mrs. Jones
• Bruno Mars - Why You Wanna Fight?
• Bruno Mars - On My Soul
• Curtis Mayfield - Move on Up
• Bruno Mars - Something Serious
• Willie Bobo - Evil Ways
• Santana - Evil Ways
• Santana - Oye Como Va
• Tito Puente - Oye Cómo Va
• Bruno Mars - Nothing Left
• Bruno Mars - Dance With Me
• Stephen Sanchez - Until I Found You

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