There was a time when artists released albums as often as one a year. These days, three to four years is the usual gap between recordings, as musicians and record companies take care not to saturate an already crowded marketplace. For fans of Bruno Mars and Alicia Keys, four years seems like an eternity, which is how long it’s been since their last albums. Now there’s something to celebrate as both stars have strong new singles teasing releases that are just around the corner.

Bruno Mars: “24K Magic”
It’s been a long wait since Bruno’s last album, Unorthodox Jukebox, but the four-time GRAMMY winner hasn’t been idle, co-writing and singing on Mark Ronson’s smash “Uptown Funk” and collaborating with Adele. Now the “Locked Out of Heaven” singer gives fans the first taste of his forthcoming third album, a feel-good slice of funk in which Bruno proclaims himself “a dangerous man with some money in his pocket.”

Bruno announced “24K Magic” on Instagram, with the exuberant message: “You can call it my first single, but I call it the invitation to party” and this gold-laden photo:

A photo posted by Bruno Mars (@brunomars) on Oct 3, 2016 at 3:11am PDT

Alicia Keys: “Blended Family (What You Do For Love)” feat. A$AP Rocky
Alicia’s gap between albums (her last one was Girl on Fire) can easily be explained: the “Fallin’” singer has been busy with her two sons, Egypt and Genesis, who arrived in 2010 and 2014. Now the superstar, who made news recently for her decision to appear in public without makeup, is prepping her sixth album for release. The lead-off single is about the joys and challenges of creating a new family with her husband Swizz Beatz and his son from his previous marriage. “It’s perfect,” sings Alicia over sparkling piano and simple acoustic guitar.

To tell the world about her new single, Alicia tweeted a photo of herself, looking beautiful with teased hair and no makeup.

Hello! music columnist Nicholas Jennings surveys the pop landscape each week to find the most dynamic tracks to add to your playlist.