Bruno Mars will return on December 11 with his sophomore album, Unorthodox Jukebox, due via Atlantic Records. As Mars announced yesterday, the first single will be called "Locked Out of Heaven" and it will debut digitally and on radio on October 1. His eclectic new set includes production from Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse), Jeff Bhasker (Beyoncé), Emile Haynie (Eminem), Diplo (M.I.A., Usher) and Supa Dups (John Legend), as well as The Smeezingtons, Mars' own three-man songwriting and production team.
"This is me going into the studio and recording and writing whatever I want," Mars told Billboard.com of his new effort. "This album represents my freedom." The singer/songwriter says he didn't allow himself to get boxed in to any one genre while creating new material. He added, "I listen to a lot of music, and I want to have the freedom and luxury to walk into a studio and say, 'Today I want to do a hip-hop, R&B, soul or rock record.'"
The single "Locked Out Of Heaven" will debut on Monday at 7 p.m. ET. The song will premiere at www.youtube.com/brunomars, followed by a live chat and Google+ Hangout. Check out the teaser video for "Locked Out Of Heaven" below: