Bruno Mars - I Just Might
Can we already call this a year of comebacks? After A$AP Rocky, Bruno Mars is returning with solo material for the first time in almost ten years.
The funk-soul of Silk Sonic was almost five years ago, the dance-R&B of 24K Magic almost ten years ago, and the pop-soul of Unorthodox Jukebox almost fourteen years ago. So what does the single “I Just Might” actually offer us? Overall — nothing new.
If you take those three Bruno Mars eras, put them in a box, and shake it really hard, what comes out is basically “I Just Might” with all the familiar elements already in place.
Sure, it’s pleasant to the ear and very much a feel-good song. At the end of the day, we’re talking about the musical virtuoso that is Bruno Mars — his “usual” would be “good” for most other artists. But this is too basic to truly get excited about the start of a new album era.
The calculativeness of “I Just Might” can be compared to the templates Ed Sheeran uses for his music — only Bruno Mars’ blueprint is obviously more solid. It’s smooth, it has a hook, it’s an absolutely radio-ready hit… but it lacks that grip and freshness that today’s industry really needs. Let’s be honest: if this were a successful pop singer, she’d immediately be accused of something like “reheating her own nachos” or “playing it safe.”
But remember — we’re dealing with a hitmaker who has never really missed. And if Bruno Mars is bringing back early-2010s commercial love-pop with hints of Silk Sonic’s Anderson .Paak-type expressions, then maybe we really are back.
For now though, it feels more like a boat slowly leaving the shore in complete calm.
6.5/10
