Bruno Mars is the Unorthodox Jukebox

Bruno Mars, the R&B crooner that brought us the massive smash singles “Grenade”, “Just the Way You Are”, “Marry You” and from the Twilight soundtrack “It Will Rain“, drops his sophomore album Unorthodox Jukebox today. Judging by the album’s successful lead single “Locked Out of Heaven” it seems Mars isn’t facing the dreaded sophomore slump with his new release. The album -a riskier, grittier take on his signature sound- offers 10 sexually charged and perfectly selected tracks.

Since his debut Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Mars has impressed critics and a growing loyal audience with his genius blend of vintage and modern. Delivering his tracks with throwback choreography and production, then mixing it with modern sex appeal and style, the singer fills a large gap in the music scene that is refreshingly welcomed.  Jukebox is no exception, although it oozes sex a bit more than his previous effort, specifically on the standout track “Gorilla” with lyrics like “You’re bangin’ on my chest/ Bang, bang/ Gorilla . . . you and me baby, we be fucking like gorillas.”

Most impressive, in my opinion, is that Jukebox seems to draw many comparisons to the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. “Moonshine” sounds like it could have been a lead single from Jackson’s Off the Wall record and “Natalie” could be the couterpart to the King of Pop’s “Billie Jean“. So it begs the question, is Mars a legend in the making? I suppose time will tell, but you know the saying, “if the glitter glove fits…”

Listen to “Gorilla” and “Natalie” – two of the standout tracks from Unorthodox Jukebox – below and buy the record on iTunes now.