Tunes Review: Jason Mraz – Life Is Good

By Rebecca Spence, Arts Editor

Recorded live at this summer’s Life Is Good festival in Massachusetts, Jason Mraz released his new digital EP, Life is Good, on Oct. 5. The EP is exactly what you would expect. It’s full of high-energy music with Mraz’s signature delivery. The horn section is in full effect throughout the entire disc, which featured four unreleased songs.

The EP leads off with “Freedom Song,” which is actually a cover of a song by California indie band Luc & The Lovingtons. It sounds like a song that Mraz would have written himself, so it’s no wonder he’s decided to add it to his arsenal. “San Disco Reggaefornia” and “Up” are two more of the new tunes, showing off his optimistic, body moving music that encourage the listener to escape from reality and take shelter in a lyrical fantasy.

“What Mama Say” is reminiscent of his first album, showing off his mastery of wordplay and quick lyrical delivery. It is a tongue-in-cheek ditty about all of the stuff you mother told you to do, not do, and always remember. The EP finishes off with “Coyotes,” a song from Mraz’s last studio album. This last track is a tad on the dark side, with lyrics like “I’m gonna feast on your loving; you better lock your door, you know why? I’m coming for you.” Easy there, Jason. Please don’t turn into the next night stalker.

Overall, this album proves that Jason Mraz is a true performer, and as has been seen on his previous live releases, he sure knows how to do it up. This album is the next-best-thing to seeing him live. For true Mraz fans, getting a taste of new tunes in the form of live performances without actually having to be at the show is a real treat.