Can Bruno Mars counterprogram his way to another hit album?
From Switched on Pop by Switched on Pop
March 3, 2026 · 45 min
About this episode
The episode discusses Bruno Mars's new album 'The Romantic' and its Latin influences.
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…
People in this episode
Hosts: Charlie, Nate
Topics covered
- Bruno Mars
- new album
- Latin influence
- music analysis
- pop music
- counter-programming
Keywords
- Bruno Mars
- The Romantic
- Latin music
- pop music
- music analysis
- new album
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: The Romantic, 24k Magic, An Evening with Silk Sonic, Die With A Smile, APT., Risk It All, Sabor a Mí, My Way, Cha Cha Cha, Slow Motion
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