Bark + Bite

Bruno Mars has a gorilla on his Unorthodox Jukebox album cover

Continuing with his trend of not putting his mug on his album covers, Bruno has revealed the cover for his sophomore album, Unorthodox Jukebox, and it shows a gorilla playing his favorite songs.

As random as this might seem, there IS a song on the album called "Gorilla," so it's not that far fetched.

The album is a short one, rounding out at 10 tracks. Here's the tracklisting:

1) Young Girls

2) Locked Out Of Heaven

3) Gorilla

4) Treasure

5) Moonshine

6) When I Was Your Man

7) Natalie

8) Show Me

9) Money Make Her Smile

10) If I Knew

Bruno Mars Takes SNL to Paradise

Bruno Mars got his Justin Timberlake on over the weekend as he successfully pulled of a hosting/musical guest double duty on SNL. He got to dress up as a girl and play an intern at Pandora, impersonating Michael Jackson and Billy Joe of Green Day.

But he had plenty left in the tank for his musical performances. In fact, his performance of "Locked Out of Heaven" was so pulse-pounding that it looked like his band was doing Zumba and playing at the same damn time.

He also unveiled a new track from his upcoming album, Unorthodox Jukebox, called "Young Girls." The heartfelt ballad told the story of Mr. Mars falling under the alluring spell of young, wild and free ladies. No Chris Hansen though.

Watch Bruno's SNL performances below

Bruno gets funky and retro in "Locked Out of Heaven" video

Instagram isn't the only one who can do stylized retro aesthetics really well. Bruno Mars unveiled the video for his new single "Locked Out of Heaven" yesterday, and it's a throwback clip, that looks like it was recorded in 1987 and played on a VHS tape.

We shouldn't be surprised though. Bruno showed off his love for old-school technology with the video for his first single "Just the Way You Are," which used cassette tape film throughout it. At this point, we can only assume that Mr. Mars will be integrating the beeper somehow in his next video.

In the clip, Bruno mostly performs in what looks like a rowdy hole-in-the-wall club. The girls in the audience get wet and sexy to the music, while clips of Bruno hanging out with his posse are shown. He's seen smoking in several of the scenes.

It's all very rock'n'roll and Rat Pack.

Check out the video for Bruno's new single below

Bruno Mars wants the keys to the kingdom on "Locked Out of Heaven"

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

Bruno Mars preps new single "Locked Out of Heaven" for Oct. 1 premiere

The wait is over, fellow Hooligans. Bruno Mars has marked Oct. 1 as the date of his return with his new single, "Locked Out of Heaven."

Bruno announced the single's impending release with a teaser video and he also invited fans to submit questions for a Google+ Hangout and live chat immediately following the premiere. All you have to do is tweet with the hashtag #FollowTheDragon.

Check out the teaser for Bruno's new single, below

Bruno Mars celebrates his manhood in Funny or Die clip

Always willing to poke fun at himself in the name of self-deprecation, Bruno Mars pays homage to his awesome manliness in an amusing clip for Funny or Die.

Set to the tune of Salt 'N' Pepa's '90s hit "Whatta Man," Bruno Mars runs through a litany of hyper masculine archetypes, including a spy, cowboy, ballplayer and an arm wrestling champion.

Watch the video from Funny or Die below

Bruno Mars hits up the Playboy Mansion in celebration of the Sex & Music issue

Photo: Cameron Duddy

Forget the Grammys, having a party at the Playboy Mansion in his honor is probably ranking as the best thing to happen in Bruno Mars' life.

Bruno had a bunnilicious soiree to celebrate the magazine's Sex & Music issue, with Bruno on its cover. And it was a star-studded affair with Britney Spears, Chris Martin, Estelle and Luke James in attendance.

Bruno even got to meet with the man, the legend himself, Hugh Hefner.

Anyone else wonder what Hef's favorite Bruno Mars song is?

Bruno Mars covers Playboy magazine

The last time a pop star was on the cover of Playboy magazine, it was Aubrey O'Day, formerly of Danity Kane, who was in full-on f**k Diddy mode at the time and rebelling like a spoiled brat. Lindsay Lohan also recently appeared in the magazine, or at least a PhotoShop rendering of her did, but she hardly qualifies as a pop star these days.

Anyway, point being: Bruno Mars landing on the April cover of Playboy is a pretty big deal! He's only the 10th man to ever get the cover. Not sure what Playboy's criteria for letting a guy on the cover is, but if it's something like: Must have swagu, hair spray and a mean two-step, then Bruno's appearance totally makes sense.

No word on what salacious material will come from the interview, but the photos released so far appear to be PG. Neither Bruno or his Playmate co-stars show much flesh. But maybe they're just saving the dirty pics for those Hooligans naughty enough to buy the full issue?

Whatever is revealed, as long Bruno avoids self-sabotaging comments like the one John Mayer irresponsibly dropped about his c**k being a Ku Klux Klan member in his infamous Playboy interview, then he should be all right.