Album Review: Bruno Mars - 24K Magic
By Maria Lubanovic, Contributor
[Atlantic; 2016]
Rating: 4.5/10
Key Tracks: “24K Magic,” “Too Good To Say Goodbye”
Yes, there are only two key tracks on this album. For Bruno Mars’ third album, 24K Magic disappointingly leaves much to be desired. The album is only 33 minutes long, which is honestly enough. With past pop hits like “Uptown Funk,” “Locked Out of Heaven,” “Just the Way You Are” and “Marry You,” 24K Magic came with very high expectations and failed to meet them.
“24K Magic” is the best song on the album. It’s a fun pop track, but it’s missing the hook that his past hits had that made them so awesome; but it still has fun vocals and some great musical moments. “Chunky” and “Perm” are attempts of a throwback to something, but what it is isn’t clear. Maybe the early 90s? With lyrics like “If you aren’t here to party, take your ass back home,” “Put some perm on that attitude” and “Activate your sex,” it’s just awkward. The synth and drum backings aren’t bad, but they aren’t anything to rave about.
“Versace on the Floor” is a sex ballad. That’s what I’m going with, yeah. With some 80s-style synth in there that doesn’t match the rest of the track, and an ending that sounds like the ending of an episode of Glee, musically it’s not amazing. Lyrically, it’s sexy, but missing something that makes it any different than any other ballad.
The rest of the songs on the album are similar to “Versace on the Floor,” but slower and more sexual. It feels like you are being undressed with someone’s voice, but you never really gave consent. Lyrics like “Girl, I bet your mama made you good looking.” are not really the most comfortable thing to hear.
“Too Good To Say Goodbye” finishes the album with a tenderness that the rest of the album was missing. It’s more personal; it’s more than just about a girl with a great ass, but a girl who loves him as a friend first. It’s unique in this album, and it has the best background music of any of the other tracks.
Overall, 24K Magic isn’t anything to rave about, and it’s too bad, as Bruno Mars has so much potential, and has demonstrated that over many years and many great songs. This album fell flat, and we must hope that this is not a continuing trend.
