Pop sensation Jason Mraz released “Yes!” — his fifth full-length album — earlier this year with both confidence and style. A native of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Mraz rose to fame in 2003 with the release of single “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry),” being catapulted even farther into stardom) with “I’m Yours” in 2008.
“Yes!” seems to be an experiment in the conventional for Mraz, who usually sticks to his ukulele and short, simple numbers in terms of structure, form and instrumentation. On this album, the melodies grow increasingly complex. Background singers feature on most tracks, and Mraz grasps each song as a journey in itself (this is particularly evident in the notable song Long Drive).
The album opens with “Rise,” a relaxing, instrumental track which sets the tone for the remainder of the album, helping set Mraz apart from more cutesy artists like Jack Johnson. Initially, this move succeeds, flowing seamlessly into “Love Someone” — a track full of Mraz’s signature instrumental style, pulsing with benevolence and philosophy.
Soon, however, certain elements overbear this purity, tainting what was intended as a cohesive, serene body of work. Acoustic guitar turns twangy in “Out of My Hands” and is paired with rooster crows in “Back to the Earth.” The hillbilly sounds here are misplaced and distasteful.
“Everywhere” includes distinct pop influences and sharp drums, which together obscure what could be a beautiful, muted guitar melody and more balanced interplay of background and foreground vocals. If Mraz really is trying to send his career down the path to hipster-dom, “Everywhere” is not the way to do so.
The album’s token slow song, It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday, meanwhile, is beautiful in its simplicity, boasting only a piano track and an angelic chorus backing up Mraz’s tenor. Coupled with direct, honest lyrics, this track is an album standout. Other stand-out tracks include album conclusion “Shine,” which brings in surprisingly fluid psychedelic sounds. The husky strings in this song create a certain dreaminess and spirituality reminiscent of a drum circle.
3 Things, on the other hand, creates a bit of sweet island flair with tambourine rattles, jovial clapping and bouncy strings. A perfectly placed lull in complexity allows Mraz fans to revel in perhaps the best aspect of the musician’s work: the comforting and understanding nature of his music.
Other elements Mraz presents, however, do speak to his musical talent, wisdom and maturity of style, effectively placing him above the ranks of today’s cynical country-folk brand of indie-rock and sending his reputation in a mellower, more grounded direction. At no point, though, does Mraz manage to recreate the serenity established in “Rise.”
Somewhat inconsistent, “Yes!” remains special in its wisdom. Though no single track is one-in-a-million like “I’m Yours,” the mixture of profound messages and carefree, rolling sounds help shape the album as a significant stepping stone in Mraz’s meaningful career.
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