Ahead of his long-awaited solo comeback, we look back at some of the defining moments in Bruno Mars’ career
Nearly ten years after 24K Magic reshaped late-2010s pop with its glossy funk revival, Bruno Mars is finally releasing a new solo studio album this Friday, 27 February. In today’s industry, where artists often drop projects every one or two years, that kind of gap feels rare. For many fans, this is more than just another rollout. It feels like the return of a defining pop figure.
Still, Mars never truly disappeared. Instead of rushing into a direct follow-up, he moved through distinct musical phases that kept him firmly in the global conversation. Each chapter reached different audiences, ensuring his presence never faded.
2017–2020: Staying in rotation
In the immediate years after 24K Magic, Mars maintained visibility through high-profile collaborations that kept him on radio and streaming playlists. “Wake Up in the Sky,” alongside Gucci Mane and Kodak Black, blended hip-hop with R&B and pop textures, placing Mars comfortably within mainstream rap spaces while preserving his smooth vocal tone.
Shortly after, “Please Me” with Cardi B extended that momentum, leaning into flirtatious, 90s-inspired grooves that felt both nostalgic and current. Though these releases did not mark a full solo era, they reinforced his versatility and kept his voice consistently present across multiple genres.
2021: The Silk Sonic chapter
In 2021, rather than returning as a solo act, Mars shifted direction with Silk Sonic, a collaboration with Anderson .Paak. Their debut album, An Evening with Silk Sonic, embraced 1970s soul through live instrumentation, layered harmonies and rich arrangements. The project felt immersive and intentional, standing apart from the fast-moving streaming landscape.
The track “Leave the Door Open” quickly became a cultural moment, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and sweeping major Grammy categories, including Song and Record of the Year. Rather than chasing trends, Mars leaned into timeless musicianship, reminding audiences of his strength as a vocalist and performer while staying firmly at the centre of pop culture.
2024: A global moment with Lady Gaga
Three years later, Mars returned to mainstream radio with “Die With a Smile,” his cinematic duet with Lady Gaga. The romantic, end-of-the-world ballad paired two powerhouse vocalists, blending orchestral production with emotional restraint. It felt grand and theatrical, designed for arena stages and award show spotlights.
The collaboration quickly became a global phenomenon, topping charts worldwide and finishing as the No. 1 song on the 2025 Year-End Billboard Hot 100, while also winning a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Even without a solo album attached, Mars once again anchored a defining pop moment.
2024–2025: Expanding into the K-pop sphere
Mars expanded his global reach further with “APT.,” alongside Blackpink’s Rosé. Inspired by the Korean “Apartment Game,” the track fused 80s pop-rock textures with a chant-driven hook built around the repeated “apateu.” Playful yet polished, the song blended Western pop sensibilities with K-pop’s international scale.
The collaboration topped the Billboard Global 200 and earned Grammy nominations in 2026, strengthening his presence across Asian markets and younger streaming audiences. By stepping into one of the most globally mobilized fandom ecosystems in music, Mars demonstrated that his appeal extends well beyond traditional Western pop boundaries.
2026: The solo spotlight returns with The Romantic
Now, in 2026, Mars returns following his surprise January announcement of a new album, The Romantic, led by the single “I Just Might,” which was released earlier this year. The track blends funk-pop grooves with contemporary R&B and soft rock influences, driven by warm bass lines, layered harmonies and his signature falsetto.
The response was immediate: “I Just Might” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. After years of collaborations spanning hip-hop, soul, arena ballads and global pop crossovers, Bruno Mars steps forward alone once again – this time entering a new solo chapter shaped by everything that came before.
