Bruno Mars – 24K Magic

Bruno Mars’s third studio album embraces an 80s feel to go with his smooth and youthful voice. The long-awaited 24K Magic maintains the groove the singer is best known for whilst drawing on new elements from synths to vocal modulation.

The first and title track is upbeat and encompasses a wide range of musical influences. There is still the artist’s signature funk twist, but with more of a nod to hip-hop than on previous releases. However, there is a disjointed feeling to much of the song, as Mars cuts from one style to another, often breaking the flow.

Throughout the record there is a more worldly feeling, leaving behind much of the cheekiness of the singer’s previous hits. There is a confidence to 24K Magic that proves its own draw, especially within numbers such as Perm – with a healthy helping of walking bass line and trumpet-accentuated beats it is simpler than many of the other songs, which works in its favour. The lyrics, however, aren’t anything to inspire listeners; instead, like all the tracks on the album, they revolve around having a self-assuredness around women.

A weaker element of the work is in the electronic additions to songs such as Chunky. Whilst contributing to the 80s theme these don’t seem to add very much else to any of the numbers, with the synth sounds used in Calling All My Lovelies reminiscent of vintage video games and ultimately taking it away from the power ballad it could be.

24K Magic shows that Mars has grown out of his cheeky, younger persona, whilst keeping his distinctive, rounded voice. Though the universal topic of women throughout can drag and the mish-mash of influences does not always work, many of the songs are still catchy and funky, the best ones harking back to his previous hits.

Molly Lempriere

24K Magic is released on 18^th of November 2016, for further information or to order the album visit here.

Watch the video for 24K Magic here: