Bruno Mars's The Romantic Dials Up Nostalgia, But Lets Freshness Slip Away
Bruno Mars's The Romantic leans heavily on retro soul and 70s/60s references, with several tracks clearly echoing classic hits (notably the lead single’s resemblance to Leo Sayer), delivering polished but mostly familiar pop rather than a bold comeback. The strongest moments mimic old-school grooves, while other songs sound like homage rather than invention, resulting in pleasant listening but perceived lazy songwriting overall.