After putting out an overwhelmingly successful EP, Bruno Mars’ highly anticipated debut album “Doo-Wops and Hooligans” has hit the charts.

After garnering fame by accompanying B.o.B’s “Nothin On You,” and Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire,” Bruno Mars has broken into the music scene with his smooth high-range voice.  “Doo-Wops and Hooligans” demonstrates Mars’ powerful voice and does not disappoint.

Although Bruno Mars is obviously a pop artist, his music is not the shallow, mindless pop that has come to be expected. In “Doo-Wops and Hooligans,” Mars explores a plethora of different styles, from sultry R&B to bouncy reggae beats, all while keeping his peppy pop sound.  This album goes beyond dance tracks with true emotional depth and meaningful lyrics.

“Talking to the Moon” is one of the few slow ballads on the album.  The song is about loneliness and waiting for love.  This tear-jerker captures the heart with old-school chords.  This song is one of the best showcases of Mars’ range as he belts out his sorrow.

“Just the Way You Are,” the hit single on the album, already had huge air-play before the release of the album.  The song, which endorses self-esteem and positive body image, is a hit among his female fans.

Perhaps the darkest song on the album, “Liquor Store Blues” chronicles the spiral towards rock bottom.  With lyrics such as “Because my job got me going nowhere, so I ain’t got a thing to lose” the helplessness of being at a dead end permeates through the song. This reggae influenced song is taken to the next level with Damian Marley singing on it. Additionally, “Liquor Store Blues” is a song for the trapped.

But the album is not only compiled of slow, meaningful songs, it has its fill of fun pop songs as well.  “Lazy Song” and “Marry You” celebrate the fun and simple things in life.  With dance beats and fun lyrics, these songs are the ones that make you sing along in the car.

Bruno Mars’ new album is an excellent showcase of his vocal talent with a varied selection of song types and styles, “Doo-Wops and Hooligans” fulfills the hopes that the music industry had for him. In Bruno Mars’ debut album, he lives up to his reputation as the new crooner.

Rachel Dinsmore can be reached for comment at [email protected]