Bruno's first single "Just the Way You Are" from his debut Doo-Wops and Hooligans was a doe-eyed, innocent ode to a true love. His new single "Locked Out of Heaven," which does have angelic undertones since it references heaven, is the complete opposite as it juxtaposes purity with sin and sex with addiction.
In essence, this good boy has definitely gone bad.
"Cause your sex takes me to paradise / Yeah your sex takes me to paradise," Bruno chants as the Mark Ronson/Jeff Bhasker production swells with soul claps.
Not to get too crude here, but it sounds like Bruno might be a little p**sy-whipped. Every guy can probably relate because there's always that one sex bomb have leaves you begging for more. She'll have you doing crazy things like get married in Vegas without a pre-nup or agree to appear on reality TV together in a public campaign to declare your love.
The new single largely builds on the throwback sounds that Bruno showcased on his debut. This has a decidedly rock edge, as Bruno takes strong cues from The Police/Sting, but there's also that ever-present James Brown funk influence at work.
Jeff Bhasker, the producer behind fun. and Lana Del Rey, lavishes the song with arena rock flourishes too. The hook actually bombards the listener's ears with drums that sound pelt the air like boulders, while fuzzy synths help numb the whole thing over nicely.
Listen to Bruno Mars' new single below
