In 200 Words: The Romantic - Bruno Mars

First impression: it’s too short. Nine songs at 31 minutes feels light for a comeback album from someone of Bruno Mars’ stature, though maybe that’s just the state of pop.

The central theme is movement. Dancing, grooves, horns, tight pockets you can sink into. The Romantic is polished and extremely digestible, the kind of music created for thousands of people to sing together in arenas. After hearing the album in full, I Just Might is the obvious choice for the single; Bruno has mastered the formula and knows what works.

That is both the strength and the weakness of The Romantic.

There is no real risk, which would be nice to see from Bruno. Risk It All revisits the same overextended metaphors that defined 2010’s Grenade, and several tracks could sit comfortably on a Silk Sonic record. A sharper left turn would’ve made this more exciting.

Still, there are highlights within the structure. The instrumental on On My Soul feels alive, and Nothing Left delivers the ballad the album needs for balance.

It’s a good album, expectations are met but not exceeded. Bruno is a commercial artist, and The Romantic is a great reminder that not everything needs to be profound if it makes you dance.