By Kaylon Coleman     

Ladies, gentlemen and non-conformers, the time we’ve long awaited has ultimately dawned upon us. After essentially A DECADE since his last independent album, Peter Gene Hernandez, more popularly known as the one and only Bruno Mars, has finally made his way out of Vegas and into the booth with his new album The Romantic.

If you happen to be unfamiliar with Bruno Mars, let me start by asking you how much the rent is for that rock you’re living under. But nevertheless, I can’t blame you if you need a refresher. Like I said, the man’s been gone for nearly a decade — well kind of. While this is his first solo album in a minute, we can’t blow by the spectacle that was An Evening With Silk Sonic, a collaborative piece of work between Bruno and artist Anderson. Paak that dropped back in 2021. Besides a couple singles such as APT with ROSÉ or Die With a Smile with Lady Gaga — and even that one with Sexxy Red that everyone forgot about — Mars has, for the most part, been absent from the musicscape… until now.

Now, there’s two types of Bruno’s: The Bruno that’s smitten, and the Bruno that’s heartbroken. Bruno Mars is so goated in his craft that they had to nerf him by soul linking his music to his romantic escapades. As a fan, you’re caught between rooting for the human condition that is finding a partner and feeling all the feelings and being happy for Bruno. But, dammit if that boy’s heartbreak doesn’t fuel something primordial within his soul and music.

Lastly, there’s three facets I’ve come to recognize from every Bruno Mars album. You have the karaoke, killer and K-Mart song. The karaoke is the one on the album you’d sing your heart to, perhaps at Richards Goat on a Sunday Night with friends. You have the Killer — at least one song fits within this threshold, but the door is definitely open for more. To put it bluntly, this is the song that kills, 10/10 everytime. Finally, you have the K-mart song:  the catchy, poppy song you’d see in like an Old Navy or Target commercial, K-mart just flows with the other K’s.

The album kicks off with Risk It All. A classic Bruno formula: claiming to commit bodily harm for the love, affection and attention of a honey. “I would run through a fire, just to be by your side.” Very reminiscent of Grenade in that respect. This is a very solid intro to the album. 

Next is Cha Cha Cha, and the title ain’t lying — it’ll have you cha-cha-cha-ing your heart out alright. This is one of those feel good Bruno Mars songs that’ll have you smiling on your first playthrough. Definitely adding this one to the skating playlist.

I Just Might. The song that kicked the whole romantic era off. A singular, seemingly random drop at the start of 2026 after Bruno informed the public his album was done. This song is one of them ones. I don’t consider it the killer on the album, but it’s obviously the golden child so far. This is the Bruno Mars that the people have been longing for. A fun, feel good song with Bruno just doing him. Peep the music video if you haven’t yet.

God Was Showing Off. Oh, yeah. Now we’re really getting to the meat and potatoes. Again, not the killer for me personally but this is definitely top three on the album. The beautiful production and slower pace allows Bruno to do what he does best; sing his motherf-ing heart out. “You know, whoever said God don’t have favorites. Never seen you before.” Definitely stealing that one.

Why You Wanna Fight. If the previous songs were smitten Bruno, this is just a glimpse of what heartbroken Bruno has to offer. It gives me Silk Sonic vibes for sure but I think it’s one of the only songs that also channels that Doo-Wops & Hooligans vibe as well. I tried to warn y’all earlier, this is yet again not the killer of the album, but once again, it cracks my top three. This man don’t miss. This one also pairs as my karaoke song, y’all will catch me belting this have no doubt.

On My Soul and Something Serious. I don’t have too many notes about these songs. On My Soul definitely gives me Skate vibes but it mostly just features Bruno flexing his vocal capabilities.

Something Serious is probably the weakest song on the album. This one would be the song you’d see in that Old Navy commercial. 

Nothing Left. This one’s a complete 180 from the last couple songs. Heartbroken Bruno has made his appearance. This one gives me the slightest Gorilla vibes — the guitar is also nuts.

Dance With Me. Now this one — this is the one. This is the killer. It’s by far the most wholesome song on the album. I feel like this song is where Mars truly explores the raw side of love. We’re getting a glimpse into his most vulnerable state; Mars laments his relationship, hoping he can just embrace and dance with his partner one last time. Big When I Was Your Man parallels here. The production; beautiful. Vocals; beautiful. Absolutely no notes. Not only my favorite off the album, but definitely the most slept on.

If you’ve made it to the end of this review, whether you have or haven’t streamed The Romantic yet, go venture out to the marsh or the forest and just play it through. And if Bruno Mars sees this, I’ll be at the Inglewood show Oct. 3, ready for that interview.

Kaylon Coleman is a senior journalism major with a concentration in news and a minor in communications. He is the Life & Arts editor for LJ, Marketing and Communications lead for the Umoja Center and and a part-time radio DJ and merch manager for KRFH. If you have a topic you want him to discuss, email him at kc403@humboldt.edu.