Pop Star On the Rise: Bruno Mars Impresses with Debut EP
May 12, 2010
After the global success of B.o.B.'s "Nothing On You" with Bruno Mars, Atlantic Records rushed to digitally release Bruno's debut EP yesterday to satisfy the appetite for this emerging new chart sensation. Titled "Its Better If You Don't Understand," the EP was produced and written by Mars in collaboration with his Smeezingtons partners, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levin. I downloaded the EP last night and after giving it a few spins I'm confident that the world has a new pop star on its hands.
Combining great vocals, savvy songwriting skill and a purposefully simple production, the Hawaiian singer delivers a soulful, contemporary pop sound with irresistible hooks. Among the EP's highlights is the instantly uplifting "The Other Side," which include cameos by label mates B.o.B and Cee Lo Green (listen below). Also, listen to the sweeping balladry of "Talking To The Moon" and the equally heartfelt acoustic stomper "Count On Me."
"It’s hard to put myself in a box," says Mars in a press release. "I just write songs that I strongly believe in and that are coming from inside. There’s no tricks. It’s honesty with big melodies And I’m singing the s*** out of them." And there you have it.
Born in Honolulu, Bruno Mars grew up surrounded by a wide array of diverse sounds, spanning reggae, R&B, folk, and 1950s-era rock 'n roll. Upon graduation from high school Mars headed to Los Angeles where he teamed up with Philip Lawrence and formed The Smeezingtons. The pair became one of the most in-demand production/songwriting teams, producing songs like Flo Rida’s "Right Round," and K’Naan’s "Waving Flags." Mars is currently hard at work recording his as-yet-untitled debut album, slated to drop later this year. (Support new pop and download "Its Better If You Don't Understand.")