From Bruno Mars to Gorillaz: records to resist Sanremo
Between highly anticipated returns, live forays and new stylistic twists, the panorama of this week’s record releases moves with surprising variety. From the glossy and high-voltage pop atmospheres of “Deadline” by the k-pop girl band Blackpink to the declared (and yet to be deciphered) romanticism, in funk style, of Bruno Mars with “The Romantic”, the first album of unreleased songs in ten years for the Hawaiian singer-songwriter. And then the rough and immediate energy of “Live at Third Man Records” by Geese and the layered and visionary suggestions of “The Mountain” by Gorillaz. Four records, four different worlds, a single soundtrack to tell the present of international music. Because yes, there is life beyond the Sanremo Festival.
Gorillaz – “The Mountain”
Gorillaz’s ninth studio album, released on their Kong label and distributed by The Orchard. It is composed of fifteen songsthe featuring an impressive cast of collaborators, including artists such as Sparks, Black Thought, Anoushka Shankar, Yasiin Bey, Johnny Marr and other legendary voices, plus posthumous contributions from figures such as Dennis Hopper and Bobby Womack, and includes performances in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi and Yoruba). The album has already been performed in full at a concert celebrating Gorillaz’s 25th anniversary and follows the previous “Cracker Island” from 2023, marking an important chapter in their discography and a new sonic era for the virtual project led by Damon Albarn.
Bruno Mars – “The romantic”
It was 2016, ten years ago, when Bruno Mars released his latest album of unreleased songs, “24k magic”. After that album, the Hawaiian pop star has limited his public appearances and his record releases, limiting himself to recording a joint album with his colleague Anderson Paak in 2021, “An evening with Silk Sonic”, and a few duets. Then a long silence, interrupted when “Die with a smile” was released in August 2024, the song recorded by Mars together with Lady Gaga, which became one of the biggest hits of recent years. Bruno Mars’ record relocation journey started right from there. Now comes this album, “The romantic”, the first in ten years. This was anticipated in January by the single “I just might”, which debuted straight at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album is one of the most anticipated of the year, both for the long wait and for the artist’s ability to combine pop, R&B, funk and soul in a modern language rooted in tradition. The world tour will also stop in Italy, on 14 and 15 July at the San Siro Stadium in Milan.
Blackpink – “Deadline”
Even though it is an EP, and not a real album, “Deadline” is an important project for Blackpink and their fans: it is the album that marks the return as a complete unit of the iconic girl band of k-pop, Korean pop, more than three years after the album “Born pink” in 2022. During the break period, the four members of the group — Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa — focused on solo projects: music, acting and others international commitments. The release comes after a long preparation, with the album’s production having been completed months ago and the promise of delivering a high quality product to fans. The EP symbolically closes a chapter and opens a new one for one of the most successful girl groups in the world.
Geese – “Live at Third Man Records”
Indie rock band Geese released their album “Live at Third Man Records,” a live record recorded direct-to-acetate during a sold-out performance at Nashville’s Blue Room in 2025, just days before the release of their latest studio album “Getting Killed.” This recording captures the raw energy and urgency of live performance, with songs like “Islands of Men”, “Au Pays du Cocaine”, “Half Real”, “Space Race”, “Bow Down”, “I Will Let You Down”, “Taxes” and “Trinidad”. The vinyl will be available in a standard edition on Third Man Records, with some variations for attendees of the original concert.
