Bruno Mars' 'The Romantic' Album Fails to Impress Fans

Langston University student Kevin Hawkins shares his thoughts on the new release from the pop superstar.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:38pm

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After nearly a decade since his last solo album, Bruno Mars released 'The Romantic' in January 2026 to much fanfare. However, the album has failed to live up to the hype, according to Langston University student Kevin Hawkins. While Hawkins was initially disappointed with the album, he says it's grown on him over repeated listens. Overall, Hawkins gives 'The Romantic' a 8.5/10 rating, though he feels the album lacks the substance and memorability of Mars' previous work.

Why it matters

Bruno Mars is one of the biggest pop stars of the last decade, known for his retro-inspired sound and chart-topping hits. The release of 'The Romantic' was highly anticipated by his loyal fanbase, including Langston University students like Kevin Hawkins. However, the lukewarm reception to the new album raises questions about whether Mars can continue his streak of commercial and critical success.

The details

'The Romantic' is a 9-song album that pays homage to 1970s soul, disco, and Latin music. While tracks like 'I Just Might' and 'Why You Wanna Fight' have been praised, the majority of the album has been criticized as unoriginal and forgettable. Hawkins notes that Mars 'took so much inspiration' from classic songs that the new material 'doesn't feel original.'

  • Bruno Mars announced the new album and world tour on January 7, 2026.
  • 'The Romantic' was released on January 7, 2026 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts.
  • Mars' 'The Romantic' tour is set to kick off on April 10, 2026.

The players

Bruno Mars

A popular American singer-songwriter known for his retro-inspired pop and R&B sound, including hit albums like 'Doo-Wops & Hooligans' and '24K Magic'.

Kevin Hawkins

A student at Langston University who is a big fan of Bruno Mars, particularly his collaborative album 'Silk Sonic' with Anderson .Paak.

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What they’re saying

“When I first listened to the album I wasn't a fan of it. But it's one of those things where you have to listen to it over and over again to give it a chance. After I gave it a chance, I thought the album was great.”

— Kevin Hawkins, Langston University Student

“I mean I don't know. Bruno is one of those artists that you can't really predict. We did not know it was going to take him this long to make a solo album in the first place.”

— Kevin Hawkins, Langston University Student

What’s next

Mars' 'The Romantic' tour is set to kick off on April 10, 2026, giving fans a chance to experience the new material live.

The takeaway

While 'The Romantic' may not live up to the high expectations set by Bruno Mars' previous work, the album's lukewarm reception highlights the challenges even the biggest pop stars face in maintaining their commercial and critical success over time.