New Music: Who is Bruno Mars?

Bruno Mars - Otherside
[audio:http://www.thecouchsessions.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Otherside.mp3|titles=Otherside]

Bruno Mars - Our First Time
[audio:http://www.thecouchsessions.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/bruno_mars-our_first_time.mp3|titles=bruno_mars-our_first_time]

UPDATE: Here is the final version of Otherside with Cee-Lo and B.O.B.
[audio:http://www.thecouchsessions.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Bruno-Mars-The-Other-Side-Feat.-Cee-Lo-Green-B.o.B.mp3|titles=Bruno-Mars-The-Other-Side-Feat.-Cee-Lo-Green-B.o.B]

Bruno Mars is the luckiest dude in America right now.

Plucked from obscurity his delicious hook (probably one of the top 10 of the decade) has ended up gracing the top song in the country. BOB's Nothing on You is a brilliant pop track, but let's face it, it would be nothing without Mars' booming vocals.

But the question remains, who exactly is Bruno Mars? It's not like BOB picked an already notable artist...say Trey Songz to back him up. Even though Mr Mars (aka Peter Hernandez) is not a household name , the dude has been in the background of the industry, penning the hit "Right Round" for Flo Rida and chalking up songs for Maroon5 and Brandy. The artist, , also has some brilliant solo material, and fronts his own band, playing critically acclaimed shows at LA's Temple Bar.

With a sound that crosses left field, pop and indie rock and R&B, Mars' palate might be as diverse as his pal Bobby Ray. The Hawaiian born Mars is dropping a new EP through Electra called "It's Better If You Don't Understand" and the tracks that I've heard so far have been superb. "Otherside" is an upbeat pop track with a somewhat Coldplay-like hook while Our First Time is an classic R&B stunner. On top of that he plays hook duty on Travie (Travis?) McCoy's new single "Billionaire."

Bruno's solo career seems to be bright and there is no doubt that he will become a household name soon.