It’s been ten years since Jason Mraz first entered the scene and stole our hearts with his jazz-infused acoustic guitar stylings and now the fedora-wearing crooner is back with his fourth album, Love is a Four Letter Word and it’s everything I’d hoped it would be.
“The Freedom Song” has a bit of reggae flare to it, as it intoxicates you with it’s happy-go-lucky lyrics “When I feel good I sing and the joy it brings makes me feel good.” A punchy brass section kicks it up a notch and it’s seriously difficult not to be tapping your toes to it.
“Living In The Moment” a laid back song about not worrying about future, or carrying guilt about the past, but enjoying the moments of life and the peace it brings. I love what he writes when he sings, “So I just let go of what I know I don’t know, and I know I’ll only do this by living in the moment, living our life. Easy and breezy with peace in my mind with peace in my heart, peace in my soul.Wherever I’m going, I’m already home.” These are words to live by, for non-believers and believers alike.
It’s so easy to get caught up in a tangled web of worry. But worry is not from God. As Matthew 6:25 points out, “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.” That’s exactly what Mraz points out in this song. There’s no use being worried over things you can’t control, fix or change. But if you are able to set that aside, and fix your eyes on the moment you are in, there is such a peace in it. And isn’t that what Christ’s message is in the end? To fix your eyes on Him and let the things of earth grow strangely dim? It’s really a great and uplifting song that has such a great mood and vibe to it.
“I Won’t Give Up” is Mraz’ slow romantic ballad and has already gotten a lot of radio play. It’s not the show stopper of the album though, and I find myself wondering why it was chosen as his first single as it certainly isn’t comparable to his other radio hits like “I’m Yours” or”Lucky,” his duet with Colby Caillat. If I had to pick a slower acoustic song to flood the airwaves, I would have chosen “93 Million Miles,” a driving and beautiful acoustic gem. Sure it’s not a gooey love song, but its prodigal son message is just as affective. “Just know wherever you go, you can always come home.” He says it so well, and it’s so easy to feel the deeper spiritual message. This song is such a powerful one and in such a pretty little package, it’s one of my favorite on the album.
“5/6″ is a notable song as it provides a lot of the jazz influence that is so ear-pleasing about Mraz. It’s 5/6 time signature, jazz organ and beautiful string section that comes in around the two and a half minute mark just gels. I love that Mraz isn’t letting up on this signature sound as it sets him apart from other artists; he really delivers on this one.
I can’t say enough good things about this album. Jason Mraz really is in his element. As always, his great musicianship and songwriting is evident and his lyrics are compelling. Well done Jason, you’ve done it again.
April 18th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
I’m glad he’s going back to more of a mellow style this time around. Was getting a little tired of the jam-bandy tunes like “Freedom Song” so I’m stoked the rest of the disc slows down a lot. “I Won’t Give Up” is a great single, but he probably should have gone a little more “Living In The Moment” for a first single, I agree. Love “93 Million Miles” too…reminds me a lot of “Burning Bridges” or “God Rests in Reason” from older discs. “Frank D. Fixer” is pretty touching too, as an ode to his grandpa and his male role model. Overall, pretty excited for this disc as a full-length LP. Normally I like his live stuff ten times better, but this has quite a few excellent tracks on it. Now I wish his live shows would go back to just him and Toca, jamming acoustically for hours!