In early 2014, Bruno Mars was interviewed by that's Shanghai and gave some details of a new album, stating, "I want to write better songs . The album was also promoted through the 24K Magic World Tour (2017–2018). Several publications listed the album as one of the best records of the year and the Associated Press named it as the tenth-best album of the 2010s. At the 2018 Grammy Awards 24K Magic won seven Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best R&B Album, whilst the title track won Record of the Year and "That's What I Like" won Song of The Year at the same ceremony. Others criticized the detachment from the casual listener and the lack of "vulnerability" from his previous ballads. The album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ), as well as triple platinum by Music Canada (MC).Ĭritical responses to 24K Magic were generally favorable many reviewers noticed the change of style, focusing on contemporary R&B and the improvement on the production. "That's What I Like" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Mars's seventh number-one song on the US. It also peaked at number two in Canada, France and New Zealand, and produced five singles: " 24K Magic", " That's What I Like", and " Finesse" (remix featuring Cardi B), which were commercially successful while " Versace on the Floor" charted moderately in various countries and " Chunky" had a limited release. According to Mars, although he was able to convince Atlantic Records of the album's sound, they were initially hesitant.Ģ4K Magic debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 231,000 equivalent album units and became Mars's first number-one album on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The lyrics of 24K Magic explore themes similar to those of its predecessor, Unorthodox Jukebox (2012), including money and sex. He wanted to make people dance and have the same enjoyment he had.
Mars was inspired to create an album on which he could capture the sound of 1990s R&B, that he listened and danced to during his childhood. Several critics said 24K Magic was crafted from elements of R&B, soul, funk, pop and new jack swing. Recording sessions for 24K Magic took place between late 2015 and September 2016 at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California. Mars enlisted new composers including the Stereotypes and James Fauntleroy. Mars reunited with Philip Lawrence and Christopher Brody Brown, who composed the album under their joint alias Shampoo Press & Curl.
It was released by Atlantic Records on November 18, 2016. 24K Magic (stylized as XXIVK Magic) is the third studio album recorded by American singer and songwriter Bruno Mars.