Music review: Jason Mraz – 鈥楰now.鈥�
It鈥檚 been four years since Jason Mraz has released a new album. 鈥淜now.鈥� is the singer-songwriter鈥檚 sixth studio effort, containing 10 feel-good tracks that slowly seduce listeners with optimistic messages of hope and a plethora of positive vibes.
The California-based artist continues his mastery of crafting catchy nuggets of folk-pop stylings that explore the virtues of love and living in the moment.
鈥淟et鈥檚 See What the Night Can Do鈥� is the romantic opening number that sets the perfect mood for what is to follow as Mraz sings, 鈥淟et鈥檚 drive out to the desert at midnight/To dance in the dust of our headlights/And score some good seats for the sunrise.鈥�
鈥淗ave It All鈥� serves as the album鈥檚 lead single with its pay-it-forward declaration for us to be blessed and to generously bless others in the process.
Meghan Trainor makes an appearance with Mraz on 鈥淢ore Than friends.鈥� Both artists convey that pivotal moment when friendship develops into a total commitment of the heart as Trainor and Mraz announce, 鈥淚鈥檓 giving you my heart, don鈥檛 break it.鈥�
Mraz sounds remarkably like smooth crooner Michael Bubl茅 on the love song 鈥淏etter With You鈥� with its simplistic theme of love conquers all and makes everything better.
A smooth country tone is captured on the humorous 鈥淢ight as Well Dance,鈥� with clever lines that describe a couple in love who are willing to display their lack of dance skills for all to see by throwing caution to the wind in an effort to demonstrate their feelings before the evening comes to an end.
鈥淟ove Is Still the Answer鈥� closes the set with the solution to the world鈥檚 problems with Mraz softly declaring, 鈥淭here鈥檚 only one answer that matters/Even if your heart has been shattered/Whatever you want, whatever you are after/Love is still the answer.鈥� Most readers my age will fondly recall Todd Rundgren鈥檚 1977 track 鈥淟ove Is the Answer,鈥� penned for his band Utopia on 鈥淥ops! Wrong Planet.鈥� The message is truly universal and needs to be heard now more than ever.
On Nov. 24, Mraz comes to Pittsburgh with a performance at Heinz Hall.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.