Let’s Cha Cha Chat About The Romantic!

In an era of fast-moving trends, Bruno Mars revives the past by blending the nostalgic feel of the ‘70s era with powerful innovation. After nearly a decade, Bruno Mars released his first full solo album, The Romantic, on February 27, 2026. The nine-track album blends retro-pop, funk, and R&B with vintage Latin sounds, creating music that feels both nostalgic and energetic. Throughout the album, Bruno experiments with bolero, mariachi, and salsa while also referencing several artists’ earlier works that inspired this style. The Latin influence is especially meaningful because of Bruno’s Afro-Latino background.  

The first track, titled “Risk It All,” was substantially influenced by Mexican culture. The song opens with the dramatic blare of trumpets and strings, immediately immersing the listener in bolero, a style of Cuban love ballads popularized in Mexico. In the music video, Bruno performs alongside a mariachi band and wears a gold chain featuring the Virgen de Guadalupe, reinforcing the cultural inspiration behind the song. During the Mexican War of Independence, she was used as a symbol of hope and unity, bringing the Mexican people together. Bruno uses these cultural elements not only to enhance the visual storytelling but also to set the stage for the song’s emotional lyrics. The lyricism in “Risk It All” is particularly strong, with its careful writing emphasizing intense devotion and longing. The pre-chorus (“Say you want the moon / Watch me learn to fly / Ain’t no mountain you could point to / I wouldn’t climb”) expresses the desire to do anything for a loved one, no matter how impossible it may seem. The emotional vulnerability in the song is reminiscent of his 2010 track “Grenade,” where Bruno similarly expresses his unconditional dedication to his lover. I was glad to discover a “Yearner Bruno” song in this new album. Bruno has always been incredible at combining careful instrumentation with lyrics that pull at heartstrings, and this album would have felt empty without a song like that. By combining heartfelt lyrics with dramatic orchestral sounds, “Risk It All” successfully captures the tone of classic love ballads. 

Other songs on the album also explore Latin musical styles. “Cha Cha Cha” combines salsa and Cuban cha-cha dance rhythms, along with the same lively trumpets and strings, as he urges listeners to “come on and cha cha cha.” The track also uses lyrics from “Slow Motion” by rapper Juvenile, showing Bruno’s willingness to mix genres in unexpected ways. Conga drummer Daniel Rodriguez, who also performed in “Risk It All,” adds a playful element that gives the song a bossa nova-like rhythm, enhancing the song’s upbeat, danceable feel. However, I felt that the lyrics in “Cha Cha Cha” sound empty compared to the instrumental production. There isn’t any clever lyricism or deep emotional ties, just Bruno singing about wanting to dance with someone at the club. Similarly, in “Something Serious,” Bruno draws inspiration from Tito Puente’s “Oye Cómo Va” and War’s “Lowrider,” which combine Cuban and Puerto Rican musical elements with classic funk instrumentation, resulting in a smooth yet energetic track about his commitment towards his lover. The opening to “Something Serious” sounds almost exactly like the iconic repeating cowbell pattern in “Oye Cómo Va.” The cowbell is also very prominent in “Lowrider,” but the main inspiration seems to be coming from its funky guitar melody. However, although the main idea of the song is the desire for a more serious relationship, I felt that Bruno could have gone a different route in trying to communicate that idea. The lyric “Don’t you want some pretty Bruno babies?” seems to be conveying the opposite of “serious”. Nonetheless, the combination of rhythmic percussion, brass instruments, and funk basslines creates a danceable sound that reflects the cultural fusion present throughout the album. 

“I Just Might,” the lead single of The Romantic, was released two days after Bruno announced the album on January 7th. Upon first listen, I was enraptured by the familiarity of the instrumental. The song is a funky disco-pop song that takes inspiration from the fun drum and bassline in Leo Sayer’s “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” and the funky instrumental backdrop in Junior Senior’s “Move Your Feet.” While the single was criticized by some listeners for sounding too similar to Bruno’s previous work, it is, nonetheless, very classic Bruno, with its fun guitar licks, groovy bassline, and bright brass arrangements. It received 13.73 million streams in the US in the first four hours of its release and debuted first on the Billboard Hot 100. The official music video features Bruno on a ‘70s-inspired stage, performing with various versions of himself, having fun, and embracing the playful disco atmosphere. This imagery seems to reflect how The Romantic is a culmination of Bruno’s previous works, but also his diverse ethnic heritage. In some of his most famous songs, like “Uptown Funk” and “24K Magic,” Bruno takes inspiration from Puerto Rican reggaeton rhythms and Caribbean influences, while his Filipino background influences many of his soulful love ballads. 

With the release of The Romantic, Bruno Mars has jumped to the number one spot for monthly Spotify listeners. The album’s sophisticated production and nostalgic influences make it extremely enjoyable and easy to listen to. However, aside from standout tracks like “Risk It All,” the album seems a bit empty lyrically compared to his earlier works, such as the passionate “Locked Out of Heaven” and the heartbreaking “When I Was Your Man.” Instead, many of the songs prioritize musical atmosphere and groove over lyrical storytelling. Even so, Bruno’s talent for creating catchy, danceable music remains undeniable. While fans may have hoped for something more original, The Romantic will still have everyone dancing at weddings and celebrations.