On his fourth solo studio album, “The Romantic,” released Friday, Bruno Mars steps out of the role of the spry heartbreaker of the past and into that of a matured, seasoned artist who yearns for the important things in life.

With his five Grammys and five Billboard hits since 2017’s “24K Magic,” it can be easy to forget that “The Romantic” is Bruno Mars’ first solo project in 10 years.

Mars’ hiatus has paved the way for evolution. Even though the January release of Mars’ lead single for this project, “I Just Might,” had his critics crying that he’s been making the same songs for years, the mildly generic disco track is the exception on the album, not the rule.

While “An Evening With Silk Sonic,” Mars’ 2021 collaborative album with Anderson .Paak, marked the Oahu native’s first deep foray into the R&B and soul sounds of ’70s and ’80s Black America, “The Romantic” marks a new journey. This time, it signals Mars’ first extensive exploration into the bolero and mariachi sounds pioneered by Latine icons.

Past Mars projects were blends between his distinct lover-boy and player side. Every album that had sensual songs like “Just the Way You Are” or “Versace on the Floor,” also featured Casanova-like tracks like “Runaway Baby” or “Calling All My Lovelies.”

“The Romantic,” however, is strictly for the yearners of the world. That’s different, but not necessarily a bad thing. 

The tone of the project is set from the opening track, “Risk It All,” which is a fervent, bolero-inspired ballad, in which Mars expresses the lengths he would go to for his lover. He sings “Say you want the moon / Watch me learn to fly / Ain’t no mountain you could point to / I wouldn’t climb,” to reflect his devotion.

“The Romantic” portrays more devoted, committed love stories as opposed to the songs of fiery-but-fleeting love listeners are used to hearing him sing about. Soul, tranquility and serenity are the dominant motifs on the album. Mellow, sensual ballads outnumber the upbeat, disco-adjacent tracks. Still, that doesn’t mean the album is without the passion that Mars has intoxicated fans with for nearly the past two decades — it’s just re-focused.

Songs like the Latin-soul inspired “Cha Cha Cha” and “God Was Showing Off” might not be suitable for a thrilling, late-night jam session down the highway with a lover like pop-rock anthem “Locked out of Heaven,” but they are perfect for enjoying a beachtime sunset, road-trip or slow-dance.

In the spirit of slow jams, “Why You Wanna Fight?” is another particular highlight. It’s passionate, but it leans more towards Silk Sonic in its style of soul, using the ’70s and ’80s R&B elements that made “An Evening With Silk Sonic” so successful.

This is one of the best songs on the album. Mars uses his signature, high-tenor voice to beg for forgiveness from his lover, belting, “Ain’t too proud to say it, I admit, I was wrong / Stop playin’ with me, come back home.”

Even though this project is most certainly dominated by slower songs, it’s not without Mars’ trademark energetic pop-funk style. Specifically, “I Just Might,” and “On My Soul” scratch these itches for listeners.

While “I Just Might” felt mildly disappointing as a lead single, it fits in nicely with the rest of the album. It does feel a bit un-inventive, but it’s still fun — acting as an upbeat break from the slow tempo of the album’s early songs.

However, while listening to “On My Soul,” it’s hard not to wonder why this track wasn’t chosen as the lead single instead. It mimics the energy and the style of a disco track on an album like Michael Jackson’s classic “Off the Wall.” It’s easily the album’s most energetic song.

Following “On My Soul,” Mars elects to end the album with three more soulful tracks. While “Something Serious,” where Mars awkwardly and sultrily asks his lover if she “wants some pretty babies,” falls a bit flat, “Nothing Left” and “Dance With Me” are powerful break-up songs to close the album.

“Nothing Left” in particular is one of the project’s strongest and emotionally gut-wrenching moments, perfectly capturing the feeling of a dying relationship that’s simply just lost its spark.

“I-I-I, I’m looking for the magic, I can’t seem to find it in your eyes,” Mars cries out. “The smile on your face that I used to make is long and gone, uh / And it kills me to think somewhere I lost my baby.”

For Mars’ dedicated fans who have waited patiently for the last 10 years for new fast-paced jams, “The Romantic” might not satisfy them, but that’s okay. There are a couple of songs that do feel slightly unimaginative, but overall, it’s a touching love album, and it’s all enjoyable to listen to. The album carves out a new niche for fans to enjoy, alongside the hits they’ve grown to love.

“The Romantic” isn’t Bruno Mars’ return to the electricity of the past, but a portal to a new chapter. It’s straight whiskey compared to aged, fine wine — one that prioritizes richness over instant vivacity, but with time, they’ll both have you moving just the same.