Bruno Mars is back with a new album called The Romantic, his first solo release since 2016’s 24k Magic. At first listen, the lead single, “I Just Might,” sounds like an outtake from 2021’s collaborative album with Anderson Paak, the Philly soul-inspired An Evening with Silk Sonic. Listen closer though and another element emerges: a fast-paced conga drum line.

The rest of Mars’s nine-track confection chases that Latin influence. This is not just another retread of 70s funk and soul. In fact, The Romantic makes the case that Mars is pop’s great counter-programmer, finding styles of the past that no one else has yet mined.

Charlie and Nate break down all the new territory covered by Mars, from Latin boleros to Cuban cha chas, Nuyorican boogaloo to a mariachi “My Way.” The results may not change your mind about Mars, but they might make you appreciate the finer points of what is sure to be an omnipresent new release.

Links: ⁠Newsletter⁠, ⁠YouTube

Songs discussed:

Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile
ROSÉ, Bruno Mars - APT.
Bruno Mars - Risk It All
Eydie Gormé, Los Panchos - Sabor a Mí
Frank Sinatra - My Way
Bruno Mars - Cha Cha Cha
JUVENILE, Soulja Slim - Slow Motion
Pete Rodriguez - I Like It Like That
Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J Balvin - I Like It
Young-Holt Unlimited - Soulful Strut
Bruno Mars - I Just Might
Redbone - Come and Get Your Love
Leo Sayer - You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
Junior Senior - Move Your Feet
Bruno Mars - God Was Showing Off
Billy Paul - Me and Mrs. Jones
Bruno Mars - Why You Wanna Fight?
Bruno Mars - On My Soul
Curtis Mayfield - Move on Up
Bruno Mars - Something Serious
Willie Bobo - Evil Ways
Santana - Evil Ways
Santana - Oye Como Va
Tito Puente - Oye Cómo Va
Bruno Mars - Nothing Left
Bruno Mars - Dance With Me
Stephen Sanchez - Until I Found You

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Bruno Mars counterprogram his way to another hit album?