The record "24K Magic" by Bruno Mars is a stellar example of his artistry and musical genius. Released in 2016, this album showcases Mars' ability to blend various musical styles such as funk, R&B, and pop to create a unique and infectious sound. The main idea behind this record is to celebrate and pay homage to the vibrant and colorful world of 90s R&B and pop music. From its catchy hooks to its groovy beats, "24K Magic" takes listeners on a nostalgic journey while still feeling fresh and relevant. One of the standout tracks on this record is the title track, "24K Magic." With its infectious chorus and catchy melody, this song instantly transports listeners to a world of glitz and glamour.
Mars wanted Magic to recreate the nostalgic wonder of the school dances he attended in the Nineties – and his crowded productions, infectious attitude and soaring voice go well beyond “tribute” into the realm of “IMAX reboot.” “Perm” is a future-shocked James Brown hip-hop hybrid that sounds like an update of please-please-pleasers Son of Bazerk; “That’s What I Like” brings the silky vibes of 12 Play–era R. Kelly into the boom of modern trap; “Finesse” is a modern BBD bite down the rat-a-tat “Poison” snares. The chorus to “Calling My Lovelies” – “I got Alesha waiting/Iesha waiting/All the –eeshas waiting on me” – feels like he’s writing himself into the adult epilogue of Another Bad Creation’s playground romance complete with a thirsty phone call to Halle Berry’s answering machine. The arrangements throughout are simply outstanding, bubbling and percolating with ADD explosions of melodic counterpoints, overdubs, subplots and funky worms.
Mars wanted Magic to recreate the nostalgic wonder of the school dances he attended in the Nineties and his crowded productions, infectious attitude and soaring voice go well beyond tribute into the realm of IMAX reboot. Perm is a future-shocked James Brown hip-hop hybrid that sounds like an update of please-please-pleasers Son of Bazerk; That s What I Like brings the silky vibes of 12 Play era R.
" With its infectious chorus and catchy melody, this song instantly transports listeners to a world of glitz and glamour. Mars' smooth vocals combined with the funky instrumentation make this track an instant classic. Another notable track is "That's What I Like," which further highlights Mars' ability to infuse different genres into his music.
Review: Bruno Mars’ ’24k Magic’ Is a Lush Nineties Throwback
Though 24k Magic is shorter than any Stooges record, human Super Bowl halftime show Bruno Mars still wears a lot of hats: giddy uptown-funk savant, bumping-and-grinding R&B time-traveler, Ashford & Simpson–esque quiet-storm balladeer. He also sounds like he’s wearing airbrushed overalls too since the majority of the album hearkens back to the new jack swing and Cooleyhighharmonies of turn-of-the-Nineties charts ruled by Boyz II Men, Bell Biv DeVoe and Bobby Brown. The only thing America’s greatest pastiche pop star is missing on his third album is the hooks to hang it all on.
Mars wanted Magic to recreate the nostalgic wonder of the school dances he attended in the Nineties – and his crowded productions, infectious attitude and soaring voice go well beyond “tribute” into the realm of “IMAX reboot.” “Perm” is a future-shocked James Brown hip-hop hybrid that sounds like an update of please-please-pleasers Son of Bazerk; “That’s What I Like” brings the silky vibes of 12 Play–era R. Kelly into the boom of modern trap; “Finesse” is a modern BBD bite down the rat-a-tat “Poison” snares. The chorus to “Calling My Lovelies” – “I got Alesha waiting/Iesha waiting/All the –eeshas waiting on me” – feels like he’s writing himself into the adult epilogue of Another Bad Creation’s playground romance complete with a thirsty phone call to Halle Berry’s answering machine. The arrangements throughout are simply outstanding, bubbling and percolating with ADD explosions of melodic counterpoints, overdubs, subplots and funky worms.
But while his funk game is strong and swagger is stronger, Bruno’s acclaimed hook-writing (which has garnered four Number Ones for himself and tons of co-writes on other chart-toppers) has seemingly taken a backseat. Lyrically, it seems like he’s trying to recall the Nineties subliminally via breadcrumbs scattered throughout the record, saying “freaking me” (Silk) or “nice and slow” (Usher) or “ain’t nobody” (LL Cool J via Chaka Khan) or “damn” (Mr. Show sketch Two Plus One Minus One). If it’s intentional, it scans as cloying; if it’s accidental, it scans as lazy. “Versace on the Floor” is the umpteenth tribute to Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” in an era that didn’t need them from Wiz Khalifa, Nelly, Wale or Kygo. Lead single “24k Magic” is already drooping its way back down the charts and it’s not impossible to understand why when compared to the sugar-coated bombast of “Uptown Funk” or “Locked out of Heaven.”
So, 24k Magic may not be the most glittering display for Bruno Mars the pop star, but fans can rest assured it is a shining moment for Bruno Mars the producer, arranger and nostalgia curator. Nothing on his level of success gets to look or sound or feel like this – no diggity, no doubt.
Though 24k Magic is shorter than any Stooges record, human Super Bowl halftime show Bruno Mars still wears a lot of hats: giddy uptown-funk savant, bumping-and-grinding R&B time-traveler, Ashford & Simpson–esque quiet-storm balladeer. He also sounds like he’s wearing airbrushed overalls too since the majority of the album hearkens back to the new jack swing and Cooleyhighharmonies of turn-of-the-Nineties charts ruled by Boyz II Men, Bell Biv DeVoe and Bobby Brown. The only thing America’s greatest pastiche pop star is missing on his third album is the hooks to hang it all on.
This song seamlessly combines elements of R&B, pop, and hip-hop to create a smooth and irresistible track that will have listeners dancing along. Other notable tracks on this record include "Versace on the Floor" and "Chunky," which further showcase Mars' versatility as an artist. Whether he's crooning a sensual ballad or delivering an upbeat and funky jam, Mars proves time and time again that he is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Overall, Bruno Mars' record "24K Magic" is a testament to his musical talent and ability to create infectious and memorable songs. With its blend of different musical styles and Mars' smooth vocals, this album is a must-listen for fans of R&B, pop, and funk music. So put on your dancing shoes and prepare to be dazzled by the magic of "24K Magic.".
Reviews for "Bruno Mars' '24K Magic' and the Revival of Funk in Pop Music"
1. John - 2 stars: I was really disappointed with Bruno Mars' record "24k Magic". It felt like a cheap attempt to recreate the success of his previous album "Unorthodox Jukebox". The songs lacked originality and seemed to follow the same formulaic structure. There were no standout tracks and it all felt a bit generic to me. I expected more from an artist as talented as Bruno Mars.
2. Sarah - 3 stars: While "24k Magic" has its moments, overall it felt underwhelming. The production was slick and polished, but it lacked substance. The lyrics were shallow and repetitive, and I couldn't connect with the music on a deeper level. I can see why some people enjoy it for its catchy hooks, but for me, it didn't leave a lasting impression.
3. Michael - 2 stars: I couldn't get into Bruno Mars' "24k Magic" at all. The whole album felt like a throwback to the 80s without bringing anything new to the table. The funk-inspired sound felt forced and contrived, and it didn't resonate with me. The songs all blended together, making it hard to distinguish one track from another. Overall, it was a forgettable experience for me.
4. Emily - 2 stars: I found "24k Magic" to be incredibly forgettable. The songs lacked depth and failed to leave a lasting impact on me. It seemed like Bruno Mars was trying too hard to create an album that would appeal to the masses, resulting in a lack of authenticity. The excessive use of auto-tune also detracted from the overall listening experience. Unfortunately, this record didn't live up to my expectations.