After taking a 10 year hiatus, Bruno Mars has finally made a comeback. With nine new songs, Mars’ magnetic voice has pulled his fans back into his solo career with The Romantic, released on Feb. 27, 2026. Although Mars was not completely out of the spotlight during his time off as he released an album with his band, Silk Sonic, his listeners were eager for Mars to release another solo album.

Mars made his musical debut on May 11, 2010 when he released Doo-Wops & Hooligans. This album skyrocketed his career as the song “Just the Way You Are” holds the title as the first-ever Double Diamond certified single in history. Mars’ career only grew from there with his second album, Unorthodox Jukebox, holding fan favorites such as “When I was Your Man” and “Locked out of Heaven.” Then fans were left with 24K Magic in late 2016 as a high, funky energy album to listen to for the next decade until Mars’ return. On Jan. 9, 2026, fans were pulled back into Mars’ upbeat discography with the album’s lead single, “I Just Might”.

“I Just Might” immediately brings joy to Mars’ audience. The horn filled, upbeat track was the perfect insight into The Romantic. The repetitive chorus is the kind that will be stuck in listeners heads day in and day out. “I Just Might” details Mars’ experience of finding romantic relationships while keeping a singular trait in mind: being able to find the beat. This track reminds the audience of the joy of getting up and dancing while Mars’ exuberant voice fills the air.

Starting the album out with an enticing trumpet line that draws listeners in with “Risk It All”, Mars goes back to the soulful yearning that he displayed in the early years of his career. After the opening horns finish, Mars is left vulnerable as he lists all of the things he would do to win his lover’s heart with only the soft strum of a guitar behind him. Then, the song picks up with a blend of a guitar, maracas, and bongos that holds steady as the song continues. Mars’ emotional yet powerful voice adds depth into the song as the cadence of the percussion makes for an infectious track, leaving listeners excited for the rest of the album.

Transitioning into the second track, “Cha Cha Cha”, is the perfect song for listeners to dance freely in their rooms to. A slow build up with a mix of bongos, maracas, and a vocal overlay create a flawless groovy beat. Mars sings, “I feel like dancing” which is the exact thought that his songs exude from each of his listeners, this song being no exception. The constant fluctuation of instruments and voices throughout the song keeps the listener engaged and adds to the allure of the lively track.

The sixth track and a personal favorite, “On My Soul” is another fun, energetic track that brings fans back to the feeling they would have gotten 10 years ago listening to “That’s What I Like” for the first time. Immediately Mars’ vocal riffs stand out as listeners can feel his desire for the women he is singing about. Similar to other tracks on the album, “On My Soul” also has a prominent trumpet in the ensemble that matches the rhythm of the song flawlessly. The repetitive, catchy chorus will have listeners singing “Put it on anything, put it on everything / On my soul, on my soul,” everyday.

The Romantic was the ultimate comeback for Mars as it showcased his vocal improvements over the decade while

also maintaining the same energetic, dance music vitality with occasional heartfelt ballads. Even though these four songs are the clear, stand-out tracks that the album would not be the same without, some honorable mentions include “God Was Showing Off” and “Something Serious”. Although Mars experimented with trumpets, bongos, and maracas in each of the tracks, the repetition of the sounds could often sound the same to some listeners, demonstrating that more diversity within the instruments was needed. Nevertheless, all tracks were individually show stopping and instant grooves with Mars’ timeless vocals.

If you enjoyed listening to Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. by Harry Styles and Songs About Jane by Maroon 5, listen to The Romantic for more upbeat, energetic dance tracks that reflect the feelings that old Mars albums exude.

9/10