You don’t need to be an expert in love to see that Bruno Mars understands the very essence of romance.

Released Feb. 27, “The Romantic” became Bruno Mars’ fifth studio album and one of his most polished projects yet. The undeniably beautiful love story told in just nine tracks explores Mars’ signature themes of love and devotion by combining funk-forward pop, Latin-influenced instrumentals and dazzling vocals.

With the production sitting within the Latin genres of Bolero and Mariachi, Mars instantly lets listeners know the extravagance and romantic qualities the album’s sound will take from the very first track.

Although Mars has not released an album since “An Evening with Silk Sonic,” he never abandoned the music scene. His single with famed pop star Lady Gaga titled “Die With A Smile” sent shock waves through the music scene, winning Mars his 16th Grammy Award. The single continued Mars’ musical momentum just before the official drop of “The Romantic.”

The breathtaking ballad, “Risk It All,” dictates the tone for a majority of the album.

Passionately-played trumpets, melodic violins and soft acoustic guitar chords place listeners in the perfect setting for Mars’ love-stricken vocals. Joined by lyrics filled with hypothetical scenarios, Mars carries listeners through a tale of sacrificing everything and traveling any lengths for the chance of love.

“The Romantic” marks Mars’ first album in five years and first solo album since 2016. His last project, “An Evening with Silk Sonic” was a soulful collaboration with Anderson .Paak. The newest release showed some similarities to the last project, with the tracks “God Was Showing Off” and “Why You Wanna Fight?” progressing the funk and soul-infused harmonies explored during Mars’ time in “Silk Sonic.”

The album highlights Mars’ ability to produce passionately-sung ballads, the newest record also polishes his capability of creating pop tracks that are just fun to listen to.

The second track of the album, “Cha Cha Cha,” continues the use of classically Latine instrumentals to create a groovy and infectious sound. The chorus interpolates Juvenile’s early 2000s hit “Slow Motion,” hinting at Mars’ love of hip-hop classics and showing off his ability to blend various genres.

Now, for the listeners yearning for the desperate Mars of the 2010s, just know he’s still there.

The concluding tracks “Dance With Me” and “Nothing Left” restore Mars to the ballad-singing loverboy he once was in “Unorthodox Jukebox” and “Doo-Wops & Hooligans.” The songs curate a full-circle moment within the arrangement by returning to the raw, dramatic romance of the introduction track. With smoothly-controlled vocal runs and organic instrumentals, the album completes the love story of “The Romantic.”

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Within just 27 minutes, Mars was able to arrange an effective and passionate love story that showcases a multitude of genres and production styles, yet also effortlessly blends the new record into the context of his own discography.

While it may have taken five years, “The Romantic” might just be what the music industry has been waiting for from Mars: his signature yearning combined with new production influences that keep audiences falling in love all over again with the famed pop star.

Rating: 9/10