Music review: Jason Mraz – 鈥楲ook for the Good鈥�
鈥淧eople done gone crazy, people done gone mad/People done forgot the superpowers we all have/We were born to love, not hate/We can decide our fate/And look for the good in everyone and celebrate all our mistakes,鈥� declares Jason Mraz on the title track of his latest release.
The new arrangements from the 43-year-old singer-songwriter provide a calming voice of reason during these unnerving times of social distancing and societal unrest.
鈥淟ook for the Good鈥� is the seventh studio effort by Mraz and follows the collection of optimistic messages of hope and love contained on 2018鈥檚 鈥淜now.鈥�
A reggae vibe serves as the foundation for the album鈥檚 collective tone by comfortably embracing the 12 free-flowing tracks that spread an infectious positivity by encouraging togetherness through our compassionate actions.
鈥淢ake Love鈥� outlines the search to discover our calling in this world by using our resources for good and meaningful change through service to others. Mraz sings, 鈥淎nd all I鈥檓 supposed to be right now is a giving man.鈥�
A message of unity continues on 鈥淢y Kind鈥� with Mraz referencing the need to be united by our differences and focused on what can be accomplished when we display an attitude of gratitude.
鈥淕ood Old Daze鈥� is a nostalgic trip back to simpler times when a good song could instantly lift your mood and erase away the troubles of the day. Mraz reminds us that those happier times aren鈥檛 just in the past. In fact, happiness and comfort can be found in the little things we do on a regular basis. Every day is a good day and should be treasured as a precious gift that keeps on giving.
Mraz is joined by Tiffany Haddish in a celebration of what makes each person uniquely special. 鈥淵ou Do You鈥� is all about feeling confident in our own skin and not having to change just to please someone else as Mraz proclaims, 鈥淵ou do you and I鈥檒l do me/Together we鈥檒l make harmony.鈥�
鈥淕ratitude鈥� is a soulful hymn of praise that brings the set to a spiritual close with Mraz taking a reflective moment to openly thank those people who helped shape his life. 鈥淭hey shaped my life/They made me love who I am,鈥� sings Mraz as he emphasizes the need to never take the things we have for granted.
During these chaotic times, the goodness that surrounds us becomes easily recognizable when our heart houses a desire to look for the good in everyone.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.