November 18th brought with it the long-awaited third album from one of modern music’s eminent male performers – Bruno Mars.
Titled ’24k Magic,’ the project – launched to charts on the backs of its title track (which skyrocketed to the Billboard Hot 100’s top 5) and its 90’s slow jam-inspired follow-up ‘Versace on the Floor’ – is a themed affair that gives music lovers a ride down music’s memory lane. A clear answer to fans thanks to the overwhelming response to Mars’ 2014 knockout hit ‘Uptown Funk,’ ‘Magic’ almost acts as a full length version of ‘Funk’ in that almost every song on the project is sonically reminiscent of some of R&B’s most prized offerings from the late 80’s and early 90’s.
Gimmicky or daring? Some music lovers can’t decide. Yet, while many are praising the singer/songwriter’s willingness to go against the grain of what most of today’s chart-toppers are offering, there is an eery lack of buzz surrounding the project. The worrying notion is supported by early predictions that indicate the album could sell as little as 125k its first week.
While we await the official prediction (set to drop later today), we turn to you – as always – to ask: