If you invented a formula to create a guaranteed megastar pop artist in 2011 then the resultant hybrid would almost certainly beBruno Mars. Having co-written one of the biggest singles of last year (Cee-Lo Green's ‘F**k You'), contributed to several other massive hits (B.o.B's ‘Nothin' On You', Travie McCoy's ‘Billionaire') and had a selection of tracks featured on terrifyingly popular telly show ‘Glee', the chances of Mars becoming an overnight sensation were about as predictable as Kerry Katona's next meltdown.
Of course by now you'll be more than acquainted with ‘Grenade' - the biggest selling January single for 15 years, taking the crown from ‘90s dance-pop muppets Babylon Zooand their track ‘Spaceman' - but Mars' real test clearly lies in proving himself as capable of more than just a catchy one off.
With ‘Doo-Wops & Hooligans', the Hawaiian-born singer has, essentially, produced an album full of singles - a prospect equally both impressive and unfortunate. Though no one can doubt the sheer infectiousness of the material, there's something a little too calculated about it all, as though Mars has compiled all the ‘X Factor' theme weeks into one all-pleasing bundle.
Like a saccharine, boyband love song? Well, here's ‘Just The Way You Are'. A little bit rougher round the edges? Let ‘Runaway Baby' go allMaroon 5 down your ear holes. Slightly dodgy cod-reggae your bag? Then lord will ‘The Lazy Song' go down a treat. Though each track is obviously well-crafted you get the feeling that he's simply written a lot of Big Hits rather than an album that actually shows any kind of real personality.
‘Liquor Store Blues' features a bizarrely incongruous guest vocal inDamian Marleywhilst ‘The Other Side' sees a far more advisable partnership - pairing the singer with B.o.B and Cee-Lo again to drum up a pulsing, soul-tinged highlight. It's ‘Our First Time', however, that deserves honourable mention for being potentially the most disturbing track to be marketed to an audience of pre-pubescent girls in recent memory.
Like the teenage spawn of Another Level's filthy pop classic ‘Freak Me', it's cooing intonations of ‘"Is that alright? Is that ok? No need to be nervous. Just go with it" are like the slightly dodgy convictions of the sleazy Butlins rep. "Hey girl, don't be shy, we'll just have a cuddle. Oh look you're pregnant."
Aside from the odd pervy foray however, ‘Doo-Wops & Hooligans' is a fairly impressive pop record; packed full of guaranteed arena fillers, it's an album that's literally born to be big. Whether Mars will leave a lasting impact on the people that invest is another matter but, for now, resistance is futile.
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