Bruno Mars is coming for our hearts once again. The singer-songwriter breaks his 10-year solo hiatus with the release of his latest album The Romantic. Lead single “I Just Might” clued us into what might be in store for us, but the album proves to be a literal love letter to love itself and the sounds of yesteryear. With the project’s arrival, Bruno also gives us a video for the set’s opening track “Risk It All.”
The clip for “Risk It All” takes inspiration from the song’s mariachi-like arrangement to present the singer in a setting steeped in Mexican culture. It begins with him backed by a mariachi band as he strums his guitar, then takes us to Bruno inside a Catholic church, dressed in all white. It turns out that we’re bearing witness to his wedding as we watch his lovely bride, played by DJ Rashida, stroll down the aisle to the song’s romantic overtures and deeply loving lyrics.
From there, we’re treated to the standard wedding scenes — kisses, the flashing of rings, the throwing of rice — before we’re brought into life after their vows. We see the lovebirds throughout the years as their bond grows tighter. Eventually, we make it to what seems like the present as an older version of the couple embraces, looks at the photo from that fated wedding day and exchanges loving glances.
The Romantic is a surprisingly subdued record compared to his previous solo outings and more recent Silk Sonic output. The songs among the LP’s nine tracks harken back to when R&B and soul could be heard on AM radio stations in the 1970s.
From lead single “I Just Might” to songs like “God Was Showing Off,” “On My Soul” and closer “Dance With Me,” The Romantic is all about the tender lyrics and soulful grooves that your parents (and likely their parents) listened to back in the day. Still, he doesn’t leave out the modern age as he incorporates a bit of recent musical history into the lyrics and phrasing (including interpolating a bit of Juvenile’s “Slow Motion” into the chorus of “Cha Cha Cha”).
For a singer who’s consistently mined the nostalgia for decades past in his own music, The Romantic is an obvious evolution. It’s also an effort that, while not groundbreaking, makes for an enjoyable and easy listen.
Bruno Mars The Romantic [Amazon][Apple Music][TIDAL]
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