Bruno Mars took to social media on Jan. 5 to casually drop one of his most anticipated updates in years: “My album is done.”
The post marked his first confirmation of a new solo project since 24K Magic, his Grammy-winning 2016 LP that spawned hits like “That’s What I Like” and “24K Magic” and swept six trophies at the 2018 Grammys.
While he hasn’t been absent from the spotlight — thanks to the wildly successful Silk Sonic collaboration with Anderson .Paak and a string of high-profile features — this marks Mars’ first solo studio album in nearly a decade.
In the time since 24K Magic, the pop icon has been selective with his output but impactful when he drops. In 2021, Mars and .Paak released An Evening With Silk Sonic, an homage to ’70s funk and soul that earned rave reviews and swept the Grammys.
In 2024, he featured on the global No. 1 hit “APT.” with BLACKPINK’s Rosé. By the start of 2025, “APT.” had become the first No. 1 song by a K-pop artist on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart, and in April, it scored a record-extending 19th week atop the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart — ultimately topping the year-end editions of the latter chart and the Billboard Global 200.
The song had nearly 4.9 billion official on-demand global streams through Nov. 27, according to Luminate.
In September, “APT.” won song of the year at the MTV Video Music Awards — a first for a K-pop act — and in November, it earned three Grammy Award nominations, including for record and song of the year.
Mars also released “Die With a Smile” with Lady Gaga in 2024, and the playfully provocative “Fat Juicy & Wet” with Sexyy Red in 2025.
He’s also stayed in orbit of the rock world, most recently performing at an all-star corporate holiday party alongside Slash, Eddie Vedder, Brandi Carlile, and others.
He’s also stayed in orbit of the rock world, most recently performing at an all-star corporate holiday party alongside Slash, Eddie Vedder, Brandi Carlile, and others — suggesting the new album could carry more eclectic, live instrumentation influences.
Whatever the direction, it’s clear Bruno Mars is gearing up for another chart-dominating chapter.
