Super Bowl performer, creator of modern soul, and pop star Bruno Mars recently released his new album “24K Magic” on November 18th. In his third album following “Doo-Wops & Hooligans”(2010) and “Unorthodox Jukebox”(2012), Mars continues to compose catchy and instantly recognizable songs.

In his newest album, Mars incorporates harmonies from ’80s and ’90s funk pop, pioneered by Boyz II Men, Bell Biv DeVoe, and Bobby Brown. According to Mars, he wanted to “recreate the nostalgic wonder of the school dances he attended in the ’90s” and successfully apply old school beats and percussive styles to bass, vocoder and jazz instruments.

Mars blends multiple styles into one album, especially highlighting jazz instruments. The song “Perm” features a horn section and is filled with energy and Mars’ typically eccentric beats. An electric guitar and drum set accompany the song as notes of hip hop, R. Kelly-esque grooves, and trap music weave throughout.

Like in many of Mars’ previous songs, the funk factor never lacks. The title song “24K Magic,” a funk number, was released as a single two weeks before the album itself and made its way to the top twenty songs on seven Billboard charts.

In slower songs such as “Straight Up & Down” and “Versace on the Floor,” Mars features electronic beats that instantly recall memories of preset rhythms on a synth keyboard. Although the ballad “Versace on the Floor” is distinct in tone, it recalls countless Marvin Gaye ballads. “Versace on the Floor” epitomizes Mars’ talent as a powerful balladeer and embodies the groove of slow dances at Mars’ old school functions.

Even though the slow ballad is common in other artist’s work, “the incorporation of the synth and other electronic percussion really enhances this album and song itself. The various beats cancel out the slowness and make the song more rhythmic,” explains Andrea Lan ‘18.

The lyrics of these songs mostly retell stories of romance and old adventures with Mars’ previous love interests. He often incorporates humor, adding a segment of Halle Berry’s answering machine message in “Calling All My Lovelies” or utilizing common slang from the ’90s.

Stef Urdaneta ‘19 offers a contrasting opinion: “The album seems a little slow at times. Mars’ other songs such as ‘Uptown Funk’ and ‘Treasure’ were much more catchy and fun to sing along to. However, the funk of this album is extremely enjoyable, while different from other pop songs.”

Although this album is much shorter than his previous records with only nine tracks, Mars showcases his bold style and successfully revives old ‘90s pop. Without a doubt, everyone will be grooving and singing along to the album by the end of this year.