Anxiety is a mutha. Can you blame Bruno Mars for feeling entrapped by his own success? After netting a masterful opus like “Uptown Funk”, which garnered over 10 million downloads (and a couple of lawsuits), a bit of pressure rattled the pop icon. During the creation of his new album 24K Magic, Mars was worried about toppling his latest feat. Can we blame him? It’s like asking Jay Z to recreate The Blueprint. Nas to recreate Illmatic. Phil Jackson to save the Knicks. That kind of thing. Certain moments of greatness can’t be duplicated, but new stories can be told. With just the stroke of his pen, Bruno shattered his own expectations and handed us bangers on top of bangers with 24K Magic.
From the onset, Mars adroitly injects us with heavy doses of happy vibes that would make Pharrell Williams blush. The first single and title track “24K Magic” instantly pulls you in with its lushness and luminous sounds. Bruno’s indomitable swagger beams as he uses the intro track as his welcome back record after being away from the game for four years. “I’m a dangerous man with some money in my pocket/So many pretty girls around me and they waking up the rocket,” he confidently asserts.
After reminding us of his majestic swagger on the intro track, Bruno croons his heart away about finding that one sumptuous damsel he’s searching for on “Chunky.” He sprinkles a tinge of New Edition on this 80s driven-record, and makes a lustrous replica of “Candy Girl,” which screams hit-record. He continues his streak of homaging tunes on the bombastic and greasy record “Perm.” We can almost guarantee that every uncle and aunt will be bopping their heads at their upcoming family reunions to this heater.
On “That’s What I Like,” Bruno breaks out the strawberry champagne and ice bucket and promises to allow his leading lady to dictate the pace of the night. (“You deserve it baby. You deserve it all,” belts Mars.) And just when you thought Bruno couldn’t lighten the mood after providing endless turn-up joints, he slows down the tempo with “Versace on the Floor” and “Straight Up and Down.” On the former, he cajoles his lady friend to strip down and prepare herself for a night of heat and passion, while he dishes out some of his favorite bedroom tricks on the latter. “Calling All My Lovelies” finds the singer going through his Rolodex in hopes of locking down one of his lovelies before finding himself drowning in the land of unheard voicemails.
Throughout the album, remnants of Mars’ childhood heroes like New Edition, Boyz II Men, among other legendary acts from the golden age of R&B floats around and provides endless inspiration for the 31-year-old genius. He succinctly gets his point across by instilling that much needed old-school nostalgia lacking in music today with nine tracks. Instead of diving into the album with a bloated guest list, Bruno and his production team, Shampoo Press & Curl (with assistance from longtime collaborators The Stereotypes) ensure 80s babies stay forever young. Because of Bruno’s new album, vintage R&B has a pulse in 2016.
Man, i wasn’t feeling his first work, but you can’t deny the kid got mad skills. Love the fact he pays respect to the foundation and is all bout the music.
The funk doesn’t feel very genuine tho. Seemed more like an attempt to ride the wave since it’s making a comeback in hip hop.
Hey ass holes give a review of dc4
Wtf cares bout meek gfoh
It’s ok!!
#BrunoMars returns after 4 years with his highly anticipated album #24KMagic. I will admit, the first time I heard the lead single of the same title I was a bit worried that Mars had fully transformed from pop/rock/love-ballad heart throb into an #UptownFunk pinky ring pimp. But after a few listens I realized Mars is just aiming to get the 90’s lavish theme party started. “Chunky” keeps the funk stewing as he admires the curves of his female counterpart. It feels good, it sounds fun, and makes you wanna grab the closest curvaceous body and cut a rug. “Perm” is a…brick. My guess is that the song was a left over from the “Uptown Funk” sessions. But honestly, the song sounds forced in the albums lineups. It’s more 80’s James Brownish which opposes the album’s 90’s R&B tone. “That’s What I Like” is a car-bouncing-while-you-sing-it-with-your-girlfriends songs. It puts the album back on track but lacks replay value. “Versace On The Floor” might be the album’s sexiest cut. As Mars persuades his girl to ditch her Versace dress to…well y’all know where this goes, right? “Straight Up & Down” is pretty much part 2 of #VersaceOnTheFloor but more of the reprise to the aftermath of love-making….PRETTY MUCH IF YOU WANT ?????????? GO TO THESE 2 SONGS ???. “Calling All My Lovelies” shakes Mars out of his romance brings him back into his “soul player” ways as he’s in search of his little-black-book list of women to ease the pain of his break up. Bonus points to him for getting Halle Berry’s number, unfortunately she didn’t pick up – so only 2 pints for you Bruno. “Finesse” is awkwardly placed immediately after the prior records. Though, it’s a fun-vintage-male-confident-party record, it seems it would have gelled more to the album’s opening songs. Nevertheless, this song is reminiscent of when the world only partied to the sounds of Teddy Riley. You can’t help but to find a partner to do the Kid n’ Play kick step with. “Too Good To Say Goodbye” may be my favorite cut off the album. It’s a humble closing for the confident Mars. He desperately surrenders his vulnerability to what feels like a Brian McKnight ballad. You can hear the heartbreak of losing not only his lover but his best friend. Overall, Mars did not disappoint. He delivered an album that you can imagine dancing with your lover for years to come. However, it’s unfortunate that there’s only 9 tracks. After 4 years you’d hope he’d have more to say. But instead we’ll gladly accept this body of work that makes you want to dance, feel good about yourself, soothe your heartbreak, and make you want to share the magic of love.
Worth? $8.35/$10
4-Playlist:
1. “Chunky” 2. “Versace On the Floor” 3. “Straight Up & Down” 4. “Too Good to Say Goodbye”
this is a fantastic song dont say its not
This Album is dope!
As long as he doesn’t get caught with coke again he will do just fine.
The combination of 90’s New Jack Swing, 90’s Complementary R&B, 80’s Dance Music is addicting and groovy. Each track is open to any breed of music fan; whether it be the nostalgic, clubbie, or purist. Even if your bowlegged, even if you write for the Guardian, you WILL dance and vibe to this album (I tried not to…and failed). Overall, this is great album and I would definitely recommend it.
I give it 4 Jheri’s out of 5.
5/5 love love love it. Truly talented
Super dope
5/5 Versace On The Floor is my fav. <3
A classic album 5/5