Album reviews: Jason Mraz | Pop | Classical | Folk | Jazz | World
Jason Mraz: Love Is A Four Letter Word
Atlantic, £11.99
HHHHH
Breezy Virginian songwriter Jason Mraz returns with a new album for the first time since his international hit I’m Yours carved him a nice little niche as a pop troubadour with perky personality. However, Love Is A Four Letter Word is as pedestrian as its title. At times, Mraz comes across as the annoyingly upbeat guy at the party trying to get a campfire singalong on the go. Elsewhere, he gives Owl City a run for his whimsy – not even a lively blast of harmonica can fix Frank D Fixer and proceedings tip over to the outright soppy on Who’s Thinking About You Now? But if you think Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You Are is the last word in sophisticated love songwriting, go for it.
FIONA SHEPHERD