It is a day where long awaited albums finally get released. Justice put out their first album in five years and Bruno Mars just put out his first LP in four years, 24K Magic.
Mars has been discussing an album for the past two years on various press tours to promote other songs, but it wasn't until he dropped "24K Magic" that people knew the album officially was coming.
After the overload of funk and disco on "24K Magic" he showed there was going to be much more to the album with "Versace On The Floor." Now with the full 9-track project available, we can fill in the blanks as to the complete story Mars is trying to tell.
The album could be characterized as split down the middle, but it is a bit more complex than that.
The first four songs have the classic feel of the radio-friendly, upbeat songs that normally fit in the first half of a pop album to draw a listener in. Kicking off with the opulent and carefree "24K Magic" sets the tone. Then it switches at "Versace On The Floor" to smooth 1990s R&B that is much more sensual.
It owns the homage to the 1990s with the BBD "Poison"-esque snares on "Finesse."
In the past 12-18 months we have seen some singles artists such as Rihanna attempt to buck the trend of albums that are merely compilations of singles that can be dissected every two months with a new song for a promo push and actually create full albums that tell a complete story.
Bruno does just that with 24K Magic. It can feel like there are two parts to it, but they flow seamlessly together. The lack of a singles attitude leaves some of the hooks lacking throughout the album. Normally you expect a Bruno Mars song to have one of the best hooks in pop, but it is hard to hear hooks that immediately grab on the first listen through.
There is a lot to love with the disco on "Perm" and the smooth vocals and soul on "Calling All My Lovelies." This is an album that deserves a complete listen and should be appreciated as such.
Pick up a copy here.
