Nearly a decade after the release of Jason Mraz’s first major album, “Waiting for My Rocket to Come,” the singer/songwriter’s music still holds the chipper charm of a day at the beach. Mraz’s latest effort, “Love Is a Four Letter Word,” flavors his signature acoustic sound with pinches of reggae and sprinkles of folksy blues. The album’s 13 songs maintain balanced simplicity, a hallmark of Mraz’s, while adding depth via back-up vocalists and island-style percussion. The album’s spring release date is no coincidence, as tracks like “Living In the Moment” and “The Freedom Song” were made for lazy summer days. Contrary to the album’s pessimistic title, it has a romantic feel with descriptive lyrics that sound more like observational compliments. Music enthusiasts aiming to channel some chill, island vibes in the coming months need look no further.  
Grade: A
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