Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Audio By Carbonatix
The long-awaited return of one of commercial pop music’s biggest stars has finally arrived.
The Romantic, Bruno Mars’ first solo project in a decade and his fourth overall, feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new. The album arrives just ahead of his Arlington tour stops at Globe Life Field on April 18 and 19, giving fans a full-bodied preview of what’s to come.
Once again, Mars leans into the Motown polish, rock grit and funk grooves that defined his earlier work. But this time, he expands his palette, weaving in Latin textures and bolero-inspired flourishes as he fully embraces his lover-boy persona. Despite his features on mega-hits like “APT” with Rose and “Die With a Smile” with Lady Gaga being his most commercially successful songs in years, the only taste we got of the new solo project before it was officially released was the single “I Just Might.”
In celebration of the album’s release, the Observer decided to rank all nine tracks. This isn’t so much a worst-to-best list as it is least favorite to most favorite, because The Romantic is stacked with songs that can easily stand on their own.
9. “God Was Showing Off”
The track opens with a burst of big-band horns that immediately sets a grand, theatrical tone. Mars serenades his muse with explosive admiration, singing as if her very existence is a divine intervention. It’s classic Bruno with elastic vocals, oldies-inspired melodies and pure showmanship. While familiar in structure, it’s an undeniably strong reminder of his vocal range and charisma.
8. “Risk It All”
Is there a better way to start off a project about romance than with the strings of the Mexican guitar? Brunito Mars takes a page out of the bolero book and goes as far as to rock a classic vaquero fit for the music video. It’s a track that feels like what Los Panchos would have written with an R&B tinge. Mars reaches into his Latin heritage and lets his lover know that he’d do anything for them. Maybe even still catch a grenade for them.
7. “On My Soul”
Here, Mars fully steps into his ’70s bag. The track feels like it could live comfortably as a Silk Sonic B-side or on an episode of Soul Train. A sultry, slightly distorted guitar burns through the bridge, elevating what is already some of the album’s strongest production. It’s vintage without feeling recycled.
6. “Something Serious”
With more cowbell than an SNL skit and a familiar breeze influenced by War, “Something Serious” radiates warmth. It’s smooth, sweaty dancefloor energy — the kind of song that would’ve torn up your grandparents’ living room in the ’70s. There’s a Santana-esque groove running through it, making it one of the album’s most playful and rhythm-driven moments.
5. “I Just Might”
As the album’s lead single, “I Just Might” served as our first glimpse into this new era. It’s arguably the safest track here, built around the catchiest hook and a pop-leaning instrumental with a polished groove. Still, safe doesn’t mean stale. It’s a shoulder-shimmy anthem that instantly grabs your attention and showcases Mars’ video and audio production skills.
4. “Why You Wanna Fight With Me?”
A slow burn that borders on ballad territory, this track showcases Mars at his most emotionally transparent. Over bright piano chords and restrained drums, his voice lingers on every note. He admits fault, pleads for peace and chooses love over ego. The layered backing vocals amplify the vulnerability, making it one of the album’s more intimate moments.
3. “Dance With Me”
The closing track is a proper send-off. The harmonized backing vocals steal the show, creating a dreamy, slow dance atmosphere that feels tailor-made for a wedding reception or a Netflix romance montage. It’s tender without being overly sentimental. It’s a fitting conclusion to an album steeped in devotion.
2. “Nothing Left”
Mars reminds us once again that he is a world-class yearner. On “Nothing Left,” he aches for a lover who no longer reciprocates the same passion. Chris Stapleton-esque guitar tones deepen the mood, while subtle distortion adds emotional texture. It may not reach the heartbreak devastation of “When I Was Your Man,” but it’s the most raw and exposed moment on the album.
1. “Cha Cha Cha”
The congas bring an infectious rhythm that immediately shifts the album’s energy. Following the emotional intensity of “Risk It All,” this track feels vibrant and celebratory. It carries Silk Sonic’s DNA but with more flash, more flair and a stronger Latin soul pulse. Mars lets the instrumentation breathe, allowing every groove to shimmer. It’s confident, danceable, and unmistakably his.
The Verdict
A decade removed from his last solo effort, Bruno Mars doesn’t sound like an artist chasing trends; he sounds like one reminding the industry why he sets them, especially after albums like An Evening with Silk Sonic and 24K Magic, where he first introduced many of these sounds into his repertoire. The Romantic isn’t a reinvention, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a masterclass in devotion, groove and showmanship from a performer who understands that timeless will always outlast trendy.
