Bruno Mars 24K Magic

by Martine Ehrenclou

Bruno Mars’ new album, 24K Magic, released November 18, 2016 on Atlantic Records, is an invitation to party for sure, preferably on the dance floor or in your car with the volume cranked up. Mars’ timing couldn’t have been better because right about now our country could use a little high-energy, feel good music.

This is Bruno Mars’ third studio album and it’s slick, commercial and fun. With serious funky flavors, the tracks, “24K Magic,” “Perm,” “Chunky” and “Finesse,” are all about the groove. Produced by Bruno Mars (Shampoo Press & Curl) the album is a definite shout-out to to some of the best R&B artists of the late 80’s and early 90’s, with street beats and great rhythm. Think New Jack Swing artists such as Johnny Gill, Guy, Boyz II Men, Janet Jackson, Bobby Brown, and others.

Yes, I listened to all of them back then.

“Perm,” probably my favorite on the album, is a genuine nod to James Brown with a cracking, up-tempo beat, Nile Rodgers-esque guitar riffs, a horn section and old school percussive sounds. The song makes me think of James Brown’s “Give It Up” or “Turn It Loose” but with contemporary flare. This song’s snappy beats had me on the dance floor (literally.)

Call me a production gourmand for enjoying Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic album so much, as it’s heavily produced. I simply responded to the beats, the melodies, and certainly to the grooves.

As good as the funky rhythms are on the four songs I mentioned, no one is going to buy this album for the lyrics. If you can focus on the tracks I mentioned, you might not notice some of the slow jam clunkers such as “Calling All My Lovelies,” and “Too Good To Say Goodbye.” Since Mars has had great success with slower singles like “Grenade” or “Gorilla,” you might be wondering if they’re in the same ballpark.

Not even close.

“Versace On The Dance Floor” is a good song with an appealing melody but it’s so vocally processed that the life has been squeezed out of Mars’ voice. There may have been some emotion on that song before the vocal effects were applied but there isn’t much now.

Try to give the lyrics a pass, if you can. They celebrate money and all that money can buy, female butts and sex, and a bunch of strung together lines that applaud all that glitters is gold.

I still love the album though. Bruno Mars is a multi-talented artist with a winning road ahead.

Just as “Champagne Life” by Ne-Yo in 2010 was a New Year’s Eve sound track for parties all over the globe, I’d put money on it that “24K Magic,” “Chunky,” “Perm” or possibly “Finesse” will do the same. A no-brainer, I know.

Bruno Mars, 24K Magic is available on:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lTgjlK

iTunes: goo.gl/9Qtkb6