Bruno Mars Releases 'The Romantic'
Bruno Mars released a new album, "The Romantic," reviewed as a blend of pop and R&B that reflects his signature style and emotional depth. The album marks his return to solo work after recent collaborative projects and showcases his evolution as an artist.
"The Romantic" is Bruno Mars's first solo album in nearly ten years, following 2016's multi-Grammy-winning "24K Magic". In the interim, he formed the superduo Silk Sonic with Anderson .Paak, releasing the collaborative album "An Evening with Silk Sonic" in 2021. The new album features nine tracks, including the lead single "I Just Might," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The release was celebrated with a three-day pop-up event in Los Angeles called "The Romantic Flower Shop," offering fans free flowers, photo souvenirs, and exclusive merchandise. Prior to this solo return, Mars dominated the charts with several high-profile collaborations. His 2024 duet with Lady Gaga, “Die With A Smile,” set a Spotify record for the fastest song to reach one billion streams. His track “APT.” with BLACKPINK’s Rosé was named the biggest-selling global single of 2025 by the IFPI. "The Romantic" sees Mars exploring a range of sounds, from the '70s disco-funk of the lead single to Latin-rock influences. One track, "Risk It All," features a collaboration with Mariachi Los Criollos de Guadalajara, and another song samples Carlos Santana's rendition of Tito Puente's "Oye Cómo Va." To support the album, Mars has announced "The Romantic Tour," a 71-show stadium tour scheduled to run from April to October 2026 across North America and Europe. Critical reception for "The Romantic" has been mixed. While some critics praised Mars's vocals and the album's cohesive, well-crafted love songs, Pitchfork gave it a 5.8 out of 10, calling it "risk-averse" and arguing that its reliance on nostalgia had lost its "luster."
