Bruno Mars burst onto the scene in 2010, and by the looks, sounds, and moves of him, one might think he’s the late, great Michael Jackson reincarnated.
Bruno, whose real name is Peter Hernandez, dominated the 2010s pop scene and produced many memorable hits. After two Super Bowl performances and a new band, Bruno is still on top. Here’s how we rank his albums so far.
Bruno Mars Albums Ranked
- Unorthodox Jukebox (2012)
- 24K Magic (2016)
- Doo-Wop & Hooligans (2010)
- An Evening with Silk Sonic (2021)
Unorthodox Jukebox (2012)
“Unorthodox Jukebox” was really the album that put Bruno on the map.
“Locked Out of Heaven” and “When I Was Your Man” were some of the biggest songs to come out of “Unorthodox Jukebox” These are pop songs at their core and let Bruno explore lyrics that were both whimsical and sentimental.
“If I Knew” takes Bruno out of the R&B genre and pulls him closer to what could almost sound like notes of country music.
Meanwhile, “Money Make Her Smile” takes a more techno turn and veers into jazz. This song is noteworthy for its instrumentation and fast-paced tempo.
The most popular track from “Unorthodox Jukebox” is: “When I Was Your Man”
24K Magic (2016)
“24K Magic” is a smooth album that’s both fun and retro. The album is yet another collab between Bruno and Mark Ronson, the genius behind the ever-catchy “Uptown Funk.”
Songs like “Versace on the Floor” are clever and sultry, a staple of Bruno’s work.
“That’s What I Like” hears Bruno hitting some high notes, making sure listeners don’t forget he’s got a killer voice.
The big hit from “24K Magic” is “Finesse,” in no small part because Bruno hit up superstar Cardi B to drop some bars. Bruno and Cardi B also teamed up to perform this live at the 60th Grammy Awards.
The most popular track from “24K Magic” is: “That’s What I Like”
Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010)
“Doo-Wops & Hooligans” was an album essentially made for the radio. This piece had pretty significant range, as Bruno drew on his musical inspirations, including Michael Jackson and Jason Mraz.
“Just the Way You Are” received top billing on this album and became the best-selling digital single for 2011. It’s fairly heavy on the production, but the piano provides a soft contrast to the percussion.
“Marry You” is an earworm, and its use of fun sound effects like wedding bells in the background does a lot to zhuzh up the production value of the song.
Another solid track from “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” is “Count on Me.” This one’s how you know Bruno wasn’t kidding when he said one of his idols is Jason Mraz.
The most popular track from “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” is: “The Lazy Song”
An Evening with Silk Sonic (2021)
Bruno thought the 2020s were as good a time as any to throw it all the way back to the 1970s. Silk Sonic is a musical duo he created with fellow musician Anderson .Paak.
“An Evening with Silk Sonic” marks their debut and the album was widely well-received.
“Leave the Door Open” is a bonafide R&B track. It’s sweet and beckons a type of sensuality that Bruno’s music has become known for.
“Skate” is another fun song that calls back to Bruno’s early days with its funky beat and catchy melody.
The pair also covered ConFunkShun’s “Love’s Train,” giving this retro album an air of authenticity.
The most popular track from “An Evening with Silk Sonic” is: “Leave the Door Open”
Conclusion
Bruno Mars is dominating the charts with his catchy, fun, and often retro-inspired music.
His albums have showcased his talent as a musician, from the radio-friendly pop of “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” to the smooth R&B of “An Evening with Silk Sonic”.