Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Era

[Linnethia Monique]

My thing with this album which could result in a bipolar opinion from the initial success is that from the lyrics, melody, to production is very much rooted in mid-to-late 80s to early 90s R&B to a point where I'm fishing for the influences and trying to pare out the upcoming lawsuits to come. For example when Finesse started all I could think of was Poison from Bel Bev Devoe or Every Little Step I Take from Bobby Brown. I had the same feeling with Straight Up & Down with Levert immediately coming to mind. There was no "modern" twist to it. It's like he blew off the dust on their Korgs and just went to work with the same presets. It's a good thing that it feels authentic but it may feel too authentic to the newer generation that wasn't around during that time. IDK I'm just up in the air with it so far but it's a REALLY good album, but creatively I don't feel what's old is fresh for him right now. 24K Magic has probably the only element of melding the two with the breakdown section with the more modern Trap beat intertwined.

[Ivy Leegue™]

That's What I Like has a minor trap influence too and is the most modern song. It should be a single. This type of late 80s/90s R&B nostalgia is most welcome among Black people who grew up then and some hipsters so I don't see the album and its singles having mass appeal like his other work.

[Linnethia Monique]

Nov 26, 2016 20:46:36 GMT -5 Ivy Leegue™ said:

That's What I Like has a minor trap influence too and is the most modern song. It should be a single. This type of late 80s/90s R&B nostalgia is most welcome among Black people who grew up then and some hipsters so I don't see the album and its singles having mass appeal like his other work.

The bold statement is where my concerns come in for this albums longevity. 24K Magic has a modern breakdown and is similar in style to Uptown Funk. Everything else will be welcomed at UAC if serviced but I'm not really seeing the light on other formats since nothing that really hits Top 10 there is for the audience that the label wants to hit unless his mission is to educate them on this particular sound. Even something like that could be hit with backlash.

[someguy]

Got tickets to see him in August. Very excited :)

[Queen of Insomnia.]

At No. 2 on the new Billboard 200, Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic debuts with 231,000 units (194,000 in traditional album sales — Mars’ best sales week yet). It’s his third studio album, and all three have debuted in the top three on the chart.

No. 185: Doo-Wops Hooligans: 2.6 Million (+2K)
No. 189: Unorthodox Jukebox: 2.55 Million (+1.9K)

+

Bruno Mars' "24K Magic" rises 6-4 on the Hot 100, reaching a new peak (passing its prior No. 5 high first set upon its debut six weeks ago). Mars performed the song on the AMAs (the night's first performance), helping spur its 4-2 lift on Digital Song Sales (79,000, up 38 percent; good for the top digital sales gainer award on the Hot 100) and 10-7 trek on Streaming Songs (17 million, up 40 percent). On Radio Songs, it climbs 5-4 (112 million, up 4 percent).

79. That's What I Like *debut*
98. Versace On The Floor *debut*

[Kishi KCM]

When I hear Finesse..

[Queen of Insomnia.]

They've been friends for +4 years now. A collab is just a matter of time, imho.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNaK5U6A5JN

[Dreams]

I always thought the guitar riff on "Runaway Baby" was a rip off of the one on Lenny's "Always On The Run".

But yay for this! I can't wait!

[Jay D83]

TGTSG needs to be sent to radio NOW. That's the album seller right there.

[Kishi KCM]

Nov 30, 2016 6:37:38 GMT -5 Jay D83 said:

TGTSG needs to be sent to radio NOW. That's the album seller right there.

I believe that, 24K Magic, Chunky, TWIL, and VOTF are the best sellers digitally.

[Queen of Insomnia.]

-Rumor has it he's performing Chunky on VSFS.
-It's still not confirmed when his Carpool Karaoke airs... Most likely not tonight. What's the hold up?!
-He just had a week long writing session with Harry Styles for his debut album.
-Bruno most likely fired Ari Levine from his production team so the Smeezingtons no longer exist. His new production team is called Shampoo Press & Curl (= B. Mars, P. Lawrence & B. Brown)

[SHOOTER]

Nov 30, 2016 7:06:02 GMT -5 Kishi KCM said:

Nov 30, 2016 6:37:38 GMT -5 Jay D83 said:

TGTSG needs to be sent to radio NOW. That's the album seller right there.

I believe that, 24K Magic, Chunky, TWIL, and VOTF are the best sellers digitally.

After 24KM and VOTF, the biggest streamers on Spotify are TWIL (8.3m), Chunky (5.8m) and SU&D (3.9m). I think it's obvious TWIL needs the single treatment.

[Heart Shaped Box]

That's What I Like is the smartest single choice.

I don't want TGTSG to be released and it get played out for me. That song was made just for me and only me. Lol

[Ivy Leegue™]

TGTSG is probably the only song I don't really care for at the moment.

[Queen of Insomnia.]

He indeed performed Chunky (+24K Magic).

2nd single it is... (i think) It'd be pretty interestting to see what boost i's gonna get, since it wasn't even released when he sang it on SNL.

[Deleted]

I think "Chunky" as the next single would be a huge mistake. Too many early 80's R&B uptempos in a row. The next two singles should be "That's What I Like" and "Too Good To Say Goodbye". Then if those do well, he can release "Chunky".

[Night Senses]

I'm trying to get into "Perm," but I just can't. I pretty much love everything else.

And I agree with everyone who said "That's What I Like" should be the next single. It sounds the most "current," even with its throwback vibes.

[Ivy Leegue™]

Versace On The Floor, corn-ass lyrics and all, has become my go-to on this album. Also, I have kinda fallen in love with 24K Magic.

[Kishi KCM]

Chunky and Versace On The Floor are from the same era, don't think releasing them after the lead single would be a good move. The only reason they have so much popularity is because he's performed them already and they were available before the album dropped.

That's What I Like is very contemporary R&B and people are here for it.

Back to my now favorite track Finesse, I realized people are in love with it because it does pay tribute to new jack swing. There are some great songs people claim it sounds like and you all should check them out! :)

Bell Biv Devoe “Poison”
Bobby Brown “Every Little Step”
Boyz 2 Men “Motownphilly”
Guy “Jam”
Michael Jackson “Remember The Time”
Mint Condition “Nobody Does It Betta”
Ralph Tresvant “Money Can’t Buy Me Love”
Shai “She’s Playing Hard To Get”

[Queen of Insomnia.]

Dec 2, 2016 7:45:30 GMT -5 Kishi KCM said:

Chunky and Versace On The Floor are from the same era, don't think releasing them after the lead single would be a good move. The only reason they have so much popularity is because he's performed them already and they were available before the album dropped.

Nope. He did perform Chunky on SNL but it wasn't released until the album dropped. He released VOTF as a promo single on 4/11, but he hasn't performed it yet
Anyway... 2day I'm not so sure Chunky is chosen as the 2nd single. Back in 2012 he performed Young Girls on SNL & VSFS, but then reduced it to the 5th radio single, he rarely performed it on tour. As of now: Too Good To Say Goodbye is taking off on Pop. + It's hard to predict which songs he included in his Carpool Karaoke that has to air at some point...

[Deleted]

Dec 2, 2016 7:45:30 GMT -5 Kishi KCM said:

Chunky and Versace On The Floor are from the same era, don't think releasing them after the lead single would be a good move. The only reason they have so much popularity is because he's performed them already and they were available before the album dropped.

That's What I Like is very contemporary R&B and people are here for it.

Back to my now favorite track Finesse, I realized people are in love with it because it does pay tribute to new jack swing. There are some great songs people claim it sounds like and you all should check them out! :)

Bell Biv Devoe “Poison”
Bobby Brown “Every Little Step”
Boyz 2 Men “Motownphilly”
Guy “Jam”
Michael Jackson “Remember The Time”
Mint Condition “Nobody Does It Betta”
Ralph Tresvant “Money Can’t Buy You Love”
Shai "Waiting For the Day"
Hi-Five “She’s Playing Hard To Get”

Made a couple of corrections but WOOOOOOO Money Can't Buy You Love! I had forgotten about that gem of a song.

This list is about to be the start of a bangin' new jack playlist

[Deleted]

Jamssss! I've got to share my New Jack playlist with all of you reminiscing (leaving this here as a reminder). 200+ tracks of pure throwback smash hit wonder bliss.

[Heart Shaped Box]

Dec 2, 2016 13:13:54 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

Jamssss! I've got to share my New Jack playlist with all of you reminiscing (leaving this here as a reminder). 200+ tracks of pure throwback smash hit wonder bliss.

Gimme

[Glove Slap]

Yes, that sounds incredible!

[Kishi KCM]

So as much criticism as I gave Bruno on my first listen of the album, I'm glad he's introducing and reintroducing listeners to a great era of music. Especially for music lovers of the 80's and 90's. I wish more artists did this. They probably wouldn't do it as well as him though.

[Deleted]

Chunky was the immediate standout besides 24kMAGIC so I'm not surprised it's going next. It reminds me of the first time I heard "Treasure" which I also thought would be a runaway smash but then it..didn't. Idk.

Too Hard To Say Goodbye could also be a single besides VOTF.

[Jay D83]

Dec 2, 2016 13:13:54 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

Jamssss! I've got to share my New Jack playlist with all of you reminiscing (leaving this here as a reminder). 200+ tracks of pure throwback smash hit wonder bliss.

I. WANT. NOW.

[Deleted]

Dec 2, 2016 13:13:54 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

Jamssss! I've got to share my New Jack playlist with all of you reminiscing (leaving this here as a reminder). 200+ tracks of pure throwback smash hit wonder bliss.

This in turn reminds me that I was supposed to PM you two weeks ago to request an interview for the PMAs (I've been a terrible non-host this year; I have accomplished exactly zero tasks given to me). But OMG if you share this I will make your list the entire interview and everyone will deal!

[Deleted]

Dec 2, 2016 13:17:26 GMT -5 Heart Shaped Box said:

Dec 2, 2016 13:13:54 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

Jamssss! I've got to share my New Jack playlist with all of you reminiscing (leaving this here as a reminder). 200+ tracks of pure throwback smash hit wonder bliss.

Gimme

Watch this space.

[forg]

Versace on the Floor is a hit here in the Philippines, doing so well on iTunes and Spotify. Plus I hear it on the radio all the time