2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees revealed
Of the 17 nominees for the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 10 music legends will appear on the ballot for the first time.
Bruno Mars has spent so much time collaborating with other artists that it will take you a while to remember his last solo hit.
Of course, that doesn’t include the first single from her new album, The Romantic, the upbeat soul-pop throwback “I Just Might,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January.
But before that, our desire for Mars music bars could only be satisfied by his various combinations. There was the ’70s-influenced Silk Sonic project with Anderson .Paak (fueled by the 2022 record and Grammy song of the year winner “Leave the Door Open”). An instinctive musical marriage with Lady Gaga (another Grammy winner who won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in 2025 for “Die With a Smile”). and, most recently, a caffeinated bop with Blackpink’s Rosé (nominated for three Grammys this year for “APT.”).
Bruno Mars’ “Risk It All” and “Cha Cha Cha” kick off a smooth album
“The Romantic” is Mars’ first solo release since 2016’s triple-platinum “24K Magic.”
With nine half-hour-plus songs, the new album is efficient (and we have him to thank for that in itself), impeccably produced and lyrically light, but full of Mars’ innate melodic ability.
Given the bouncy groove of ‘I Just Might’, it’s a little surprising that the first two tracks tiptoe around and play mariachi against the ping of Mars’ new single ‘Risk it All’, accompanied by swirling strings reminiscent of ’70s TV theme coating ‘Cha Cha Cha’.
The airy imprint of producer Durnst “DMile” Emile, who collaborated with Mars on Silk Sonic songs, is pervasive throughout the album, both on every song and in musical brilliance as Mars’ de facto co-writer. Influences are gleaned from the vintage sounds of The Chi Lights (the pleading ballad “Why You Wanna Fight?”), Santana (the percussive thrust of “Something Serious”), and Philadelphia soul founders Gamble & Huff (“God Was Showing Off”).
Mars, 40, shines as she wraps her velvety voice around her lover’s lament. But when he rolls out lyrics like “The fire ain’t burning like it used to, girl” on “Nothing Left” and “Girl, oh, you’re in trouble tonight/Little mama, you turn me on” on “Cha Cha Cha,” it’s time to roll your eyes.
Bruno Mars’ new album crowns him king of easy listening
Still, much of “The Romantic” is endearing, thanks to Mars’ keen sense of soul and ability to incorporate classic sounds into his music with a contemporary cool.
Standout track “God Was Showing Off” crowns Mars as the easy listening king of modern music. He’s as smooth-talking as he is comfortable in a polyester leisure suit, wears a Western-style hat, and is a singer who can sell drama while tumbling.
Closer ‘Dance With Me’ also spotlights Mars at his old-school best, with a circular guitar melody that evokes images of a late-night dance floor, empty but a couple rocking in their own world. The production is cinematic, with Mars once again guiding the romance between the two as he begs his lover to “fall in love again” under the twinkling stars. But this time his plea sounds like more than just a fantasy.
