Mission from Mars

Photo by Kai Z. Feng
Photo by Kai Z. Feng

Bruno Mars knows exactly what he is doing, and he does it better than just about anyone in the business. Not only has he released two chart-topping albums — 2010’s Doo-Wops & Hooligans and 2012’s Unorthodox Jukebox — sold over 100 million copies of his singles and albums and won multiple Grammys, but he’d made a name for himself prior to all of this as a songwriter and producer. B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ On You,” for example? Co-written by Mars. Cee-Lo Green’s “F*** You”? Ditto. So, yes; he knows the music biz.

On Unorthodox in particular, Mars’ star burns brightly. Whether it’s the hip-shaking beats on “Natalie,” his soulful vocal performance on the piano ballad “When I was Your Man” or blasting through the über-catchy “Locked out of Heaven,” the way he approaches his content is hypnotic. He brings the funk to the dance party on “Treasure” too, and “Moonshine” is so reminiscent of ’80s-era Michael Jackson it’s eerie.

Unorthodox proves Doo-Wops was not a fluke. If your success leads to a voice appearance in the film Rio 2 and performing at the Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show, you’re bound to leave a legacy.

Bruno Mars brings his Moonshine Jungle tour to Eugene 8 pm Monday, Aug. 11, at Matthew Knight Arena; $39.50-$99.50