Entertainment

Bruno Mars’ “I Just Might” Might be Your Next Obession

First Look at Mars’ Latest Release

Emily Wu, News Editor

February 18, 2026

CUTOUT: Bruno Mars cardboard head cutout held up in the air in a crowd

I just might listen to Bruno Mars’ new and upcoming album. On Jan. 9, Bruno Mars released his lead single, “I Just Might” from his fourth solo album, “The Romantic.” The single sets the tone for what fans can expect from the album, combining funky grooves with Mars’ signature energy.

Bruno Mars rose to fame with his debut album “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” in 2010. Its lead single, “Just the Way You Are,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, quickly establishing him as a versatile performer. Known for blending R&B, funk, pop, and soul, Mars has built a career rooted in both musical and stage presence. His enthusiasm for music has earned him multiple awards and a strong fan base.

Listeners have already shown support and positivity for the new single by praising the sound and visuals on TikTok and Instagram. “‘I Just Might’ that one’s so good. It’s so good,” Directed Studies and Algebra 1 teacher AnneMarie Montani said, adding that she was even texting a few teachers, Beatrice Tesorero and Alana Tipton about it. She noted that Mars’ flair stands out through the personality and style shown in the music video.

Throughout his career, Mars has always offered a fun mix of genres into his music, giving fans something to listen to for every mood. “It’s fun […] you get a full range of his music, the ones that he’s putting out himself,” Montani says. While she appreciates the slower songs, she explained that she is more drawn to his high-energy tracks. That preference for upbeat tracks reflects the energy that makes fans enjoy his music. “So recently, I feel like a lot of the songs I’m really into that he does feel like they’re old, like another time,” she explains, noting the nostalgic vibe Mars had in older releases.

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The music video for “I Just Might” leans into a nostalgic style, featuring a ‘70s influence. From the fashion to the choreography, the video adds a retro exuberance. “I love it so much because it’s like in the ‘70s,” Montani said. She added that the dancing and bell-bottom style reminded her of her dad’s personality and energy, calling it “the peak of my dad.”

For his upcoming concert, presale for tickets started on Jan. 14, with queues exceeding 180,000 and tickets reaching $2,400. The overwhelming demand highlights Mars’ continued popularity and strong fan support. In the Bay Area, he is scheduled to perform two shows at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara with Raye as the opener. Fortunately, I was able to get a couple tickets to see him live myself!

Some of my personal favorite songs from Bruno Mars include “Show Me” and “777” from the albums “Unorthodox Jukebox” and “An Evening With Silk Sonic.” Since listening to “I Just Might,” I envision an album full of upbeat, nostalgic energy that always follows his music. As a longtime listener, I am excited to see what direction “The Romantic” takes.

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About the Contributors

Emily Wu, News Editor

Emily, a sophomore, is coming back to journalism as the News Editor. Her first year was an introduction towards The Thunderbolt as a staff writer, where she was a beginner at conducting interviews and writing articles. She is excited to continue building her skills in reporting, communicating, and most of all, graphic design. Outside of class, she enjoys spending time with friends, drawing, listening to music, and rewatching her favorite movies: Big Hero 6, Pitch Perfect, and The Peanuts Movie. She is a part of a volunteering organization, National Charity League, and the Mills Girls Tennis. This year, she is especially eager to cover pop culture in the Entertainment section, as well as reporting current events that impact Mills and the surrounding community. Emily is excited to collaborate with the rest of the staff and cannot wait to see how the year unfolds!

Elijah Cabatic, Opinions Editor

Elijah is a senior and in his second year of journalism. He is currently Opinions Editor. He loves writing and finds journalism as a great way to improve his writing skills. He enjoyed journalism so much last year that decided to return as the opinions editor this year to help push the newspaper to be the best it can. In his free time he loves to listen to music (favorite artist is John Mayer), watching TV, and playing guitar. He plays golf and baseball and is a big Giants and Warriors fan. He is so excited for his final year of journalism and hopes to share new and exciting stories with the Mills community.