In a video recorded at Las Vegas’ Moondog Records, Mars reflected on his deep connection to physical music and record stores. “You get the chance to immerse yourself, surround yourself with music,” he said. “I love being able to physically be surrounded by music. Not just staring at your phone and downloading something, but to actually see all of this beautiful art around you. It inspires me.”
Record Store Day 2026 is scheduled for April 18, and Mars will commemorate the event with the release of The Collaborations, a compilation album highlighting his standout joint efforts. The LP will feature hits such as Uptown Funk with Mark Ronson, Die With a Smile with Lady Gaga, and the Grammy-nominated Apt. with Rosé, offering fans a curated glimpse into his genre-spanning career.
Ahead of the official album release on February 27, Mars will partner with over 200 U.S. record stores for listening parties of The Romantic on February 25. Fans can find participating stores on recordstoreday.com, making it a nationwide celebration of music and community.
Record Store Day co-founder Michael Kurtz praised Mars for his ambassadorial role, noting the singer’s history of blending musical styles and collaborating widely. “The world of record stores brings together so many different musical styles, so many people with different musical tastes,” Kurtz said. “Bruno has done a similar thing throughout his life and career, all for the love of music and the emotions it brings up.”
With the combination of a new album, a world tour, and his ambassadorship for Record Store Day, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year in Bruno Mars’ illustrious career.