“The new album right now, I’m just focused on the album,” the singer told MTV News backstage at Chris Brown’s “Virginia Stand Up! A Call to Action” benefit concert on Saturday.

The Baltimore native explained that the genre’s grooves were just too appealing not to flirt with on his upcoming project.

“Stay tuned. I just came back from Europe — it’s crazy out there,” Mario said. “I just did a DJ/ house [music] tour in Europe; I did like 10 days. It was a huge thing, like 15,000-seat venue. It was incredible to see how many people are into house music and R&B music, and how house music influences R&B nowadays. You know, [it has a] real strong presence … over there.”

The collection, due this summer, according to Mario, would be his fifth album and the follow-up to last year’s set, D.N.A. That project spawned the hit “Break Up,” featuring Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett.

Mario’s yet-untitled album is tentatively slated to include a guest appearance by Chris Brown, though nothing has been confirmed so far. Mario said the two crooners recently spent time together in a Los Angeles studio — though admittedly Brown was working with Keri Hilson and not him — and the pair have high hopes to get something recorded between them soon.

“For the ladies,” he said with a smile.

1. Mario is to perform at the Sparks 3rd annual Super Bowl event on February 3rd. More info here.
2. Check out video of Mario Performing “Crying Out for Me/Crying for Me” at his show in New York here and “Let Me Love You” in Boston here.
3. Mario will be performing at the Sprite-Step Off Challenge in Baton Rouge, Louisiana this Saturday. You can purchase tickets here.