Bruno Mars has always been the throwback showman, and he really reached the apex of his nostalgia-core soul alter-ego with Silk Sonic, his collaborative project with Anderson. Paak. His last three albums, An Evening with Silk Sonic, 24K Magic, and Unorthodox Jukebox, were so intent on living in the past that it genuinely seems too late for Mars to reverse course and make something that feels contemporary — not to mention “Uptown Funk,” the seismic hit that confirmed his status as the ultimate nostalgia crooner.

On “Die with a Smile,” Mars’ first single since the Silk Sonic days three years ago, he does not trade his classic, organic Smeezingtons pop for dance beats and a Chromatica-esque sheen. He’s also not belting like the cocaine-addled, funkadelic sideman he played on An Evening with Silk Sonic. Instead, Mars shows up and does what he does best: simple, satisfying love ballads.

For many (like my colleague Mary), this simply isn’t good enough — especially compared to Lady Gaga’s wildly ranging catalog and chameleonic persona. But he sounds emphatic and towering on “Die with a Smile.” It’s hard not to believe him when he croons, “I’m gonna love you every night like it’s the last night,” over the drums pounding and a reverb-ridden electric guitar washing about.

Lady Gaga, predictably, blends gorgeously with Mars’ crystal clear topline, and her vocal charisma is on par with her duet partner through and through. After all, Gaga is no stranger to a throwback sound, and can seamlessly shift roles and eras like she’s flipping through a fashion catalog. As we saw in Silk Sonic, Mars thrives when he has someone to work off of in real-time — while Gaga doesn’t bring the same kind of cheeky attitude that .Paak provided, she does have powerhouse belts and delectable harmonies.

But the question remains: Is this a step forward for both artists? Or is it yet another pointless retreading of the past, a mining of the bygone era of power duets a la “Endless Love,” offending no one but satisfying only a select few? I’m hesitant to say the latter, if only for the crisp, anthemic production of “Die with a Smile,” which is immaculately mixed and just plain pretty. While not a leap, it is a collaboration that lives up to its star-studded package. — Paolo Ragusa

Just (Slow) Dance

Here’s the thing. Bruno Mars is obviously incredibly charming and charismatic, and Lady Gaga is brilliant. In my book, nothing she makes is ever going to be all that bad. But this collaboration isn’t exactly what I was craving when it comes to a team-up between these powerhouses, especially since this is the first release from both artists in a few years. I’m not here to pretend like Gaga can’t absolutely slay a ballad — where were you the first time you heard “Shallow?” Do you also consider “Yoü and I” deeply underrated? These are questions that plague me.

The point is, I’m totally game for a slower offering from Gaga, but my reaction to “Die with a Smile” didn’t stretch too far past the idea that it’s a perfectly nice tune. I’m not compelled to throw it on repeat the way I was with “Rain on Me” or “You Song,” for some reason. And when it comes to Mr. Mars, this song falls closer to “Grenade” territory than something as fun as “That’s What I Like,” or his work with Silk Sonic that demands to be played again and again.

However, both artists sound great — Gaga’s vocal run as she starts her verse is perfect! — and, as Paolo noted, the production from Andrew Watt is solid as ever. And at the end of the day, new, perfectly fine music from Lady Gaga is better than no new music from Gaga at all. — Mary Siroky