Back in the 80s, Alabama sang “You can’t keep a good man down.” But, based on several new releases, it would appear that the music world can’t keep two men down. Bruno Mars and Harry Styles are back up and running!
Making new music and going on tour this 2026 year, both artists have just released hit hopefuls in January: Mars releasing the single “I Just Might” and Styles, the single titled “Aperture.”
To Gen Z’ers Bruno Mars and Harry Styles are viewed as music icons. Who doesn’t travel down Memory Lane when “Uptown Funk” or “As It Was” start playing? “I think they’re so iconic to this day because of how powerful the impact they had when I was kid; they always made a successful comeback and relatable music,” states Senior Nataly Munoz Martinez. “It’s exciting to reminisce on old memories and see how far they’ve come.” She hopes they will also impact the next generations, as well as today’s, with their unique music and talents.
While Mars’ single “I Just Might” came out in January, his album–The Romantic–is slated for release just days from now (Feb. 27), making this his first full-length solo project since 24K Magic (2016). When it hits the market, the album will have three different vinyl issues. “One is a numbered ‘first pressing edition’ vinyl, a second will be a webstore exclusive with a velvet sleeve and the third is a regular vinyl edition,” online sources state.
Less than two months later–on April 10–Mars will kick off his North America and Europe tour in Las Vegas. The concluding stop will be Vancouver, Canada, on Oct. 14. “The Romantic tour has quickly shattered records, delivering the largest single-day ticket sales in Live Nation North America tour history,” notes the Sofi Stadium website.
Not to be outplayed, Harry Styles will release his fourth studio album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, on March 6. It is said to feature 12 new tracks. “The album, teased via cryptic ‘We Belong Together’ campaigns, signals a disco-influenced sound, with the lead single “Aperture” released in January 2026,” claims the BBC. Building off the campaign theme, Styles’ tour is appropriately named the Together, Together tour. Opting to format his as a “residency run” rather than a global tour, Styles has framed his 50-show circuit in seven key locations. According to the BBC, among them, there will be “12 nights in London, 10 in Amsterdam and 30 in New York City.” While the math does not add up, fans can definitely count on Styles performing at Madison Square Garden this fall (Aug.-Oct.)
By all accounts, the “cryptic hype” that Styles is banking on is increasingly effective. “In a press release,” states Forbes Daily, “Columbia Records noted that Waterloo Records in Austin, Texas, saw fans in line for hours to hear the track through headphones in the store — a true throwback to old-school listening and real-time hype rituals that also defy today’s on-demand, streaming-first world.”
Another unique factor of the Together, Together tour is where the proceeds will go. “Globally, the Together, Together trek is supporting Choose Love, the humanitarian organization that delivers aid and essential services like food, shelter, and education to those who need them most, including refugees and displaced people, by working directly with communities,” notes Forbes.
In New York, Styles will “partner with HeadCount (the org focused on voter registration assistance in the U.S.) where eligible fans can register to vote onsite at pop-up activations,” adds Forbes. “The tour is also pitching sustainability, with Live Nation’s Green Nation working to lessen its environmental impact throughout its dates.”
Musically, 2026 promises to be an entertaining year. As Senior America Juarez says, “Growing up with both Harry and Bruno as a kid, listening to either one of them brings so much nostalgia–and I love both. But,” she continues, “I would have to say I listen to Bruno more often.” Her favorite song is “Locked Out of Heaven.”
Zoey Barber, also a Senior, chooses otherwise, preferring Harry Styles. “I relate to his lyrics more…and his new album is so exciting since he hasn’t released new music lately.” Her favorite song? “Cherry.”
Both artists have unique styles to their music. Yet, both remain equally iconic figures in the industry. They have returned and brought the nostalgia back with them, making them this year’s “Come Back Kids.”
