Known for his hits “Just the Way You Are” and “24K Magic,” Bruno Mars is one of the world’s top-selling artists. On Feb. 27, he released his fourth studio album, “The Romantic.” The record features nine songs, mixing soul, funk, and Latin music. This was his first solo album in a decade and, after debuting, it reached number one on the Billboard 200 with 186,000 units sold in the United States.
To promote the album, a pop-up flower shop was set up in Los Angeles. Named “The Romantic Flower Shop,” the free event ran from Feb. 27 to March 1. During the event, organizers sold exclusive merchandise and handed out free flowers. Additionally, record stores around the country held listening parties, giving out special lanyards, posters, and tote bags.
In Miami, further promotion included a blue truck with the words “The Romantic” driven around the city. The truck was filled with small rose bouquets that were given out as it parked in various locations around Wynwood. Similar trucks also traveled through Berlin, Las Vegas, and Houston.
After listening to the album, sixth grader Hanna Magalhaes shared her opinion. “I prefer his other albums,” Magalhaes said.
Freshman Taviana Tijerino agreed. “I don’t think any of Bruno’s new music will beat his old. His old music holds a lot of memories,” she explained. Most of his major hits came from his first album released in 2010, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans,” which Tijerino said is her favorite album. Both Magalhaes and Tijerino agree his songs from this time period have become a part of many people’s childhoods and will forever hold memories from those days.
Sixth grader Katalina Icaza loves the new album. “The new album is more of a romance vibe… the old ones were more like a party and fun type vibe,” she said. Icaza further explained that she wanted a romantic album and says her favorite song on the record is “Risk It All” because of the romantic lyrics and the “latino and salsa vibe it has to it.”
The Romantic Tour begins on April 10 in Las Vegas and will travel through North America and Europe. Mars will perform at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens with RAYE and Anderson .Paak as openers from Sept. 19 to 20. The tour will feature songs from the new album along with his most popular tracks, giving all fans something to look forward to.
