WITH MAGICAL PARTY ALBUM
NEW YORK: Bruno Mars hasn’t had much time to bask in success. After a short breather, he is back with a new album — and his spirit is as sunny as ever.
24K Magic, which was released on Friday, is a party album, which brings crowds to their feet from the first beat and, even on ballads, keeps its upbeat vibe.
The 31-year-old Hawaii-born singer has become one of the decade’s most successful artistes with an unapologetically retro sensibility, producing pop tracks that hark back to jukebox hits from the 1980s and earlier.
If the songs of passionate love and longing occasionally reference the 21st century, the sounds on the latest album again remind of another time save for the occasional hip-hop delivery.
His voice takes on a brassy power that could easily be mistaken for James Brown on Perm as Mars invites women to his party — asking them to relax in the way that formula uncurls hair.
The opening title track on 24K Magic takes on echoes of early Janet Jackson with heavy synthesisers and a readily
Bruno Mars’ ‘24K Magic’. APpic danceable beat.
Mars, who coincidentally released the album 10 days after one of the most divisive elections in United States history, makes it no secret that he wants to stay positive and uncontroversial.
He stays out of celebrity beefs and away from the gossip pages, preferring to keep his hard-working schedule in the studio and as a live performer.
Mars said he saw 24K Magic as carrying an atmosphere akin to a movie soundtrack.
“It could be boring for people this day and age, but I don’t want to be known for scandals or controversy.
“I want to be that guy who brings joy to your life through his music. That’s it. I want to go home, throw on some Netflix and live a life.”
Mars, whose diverse ancestry includes Puerto Rican and Filipino roots, does not use his real surname Hernandez to avoid being lumped in as a Latin artiste.
He achieved five number-one hits on the US singles chart more quickly than any artiste except Elvis Presley, whose stage persona is a major influence on Mars. AFP