Love Is a Four Letter Word cover

Love Is a Four Letter Word

Jason Mraz · 2012

55 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock

A vibrant blend of pop, folk, and soul that radiates warmth and positivity through introspective lyrics and catchy melodies.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    I Won’t Give Up — This track showcases Mraz's signature blend of heartfelt lyrics and melodic hooks, exploring themes of perseverance and commitment in relationships.
  • →
    93 Million Miles — A warm, reflective song that captures the essence of familial love and support, highlighting Mraz’s ability to convey deep emotional truths through simple yet profound imagery.
  • →
    Living in the Moment — This upbeat track exemplifies Mraz's playful side while promoting mindfulness and living life to its fullest, making it a standout anthem for positivity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album combines catchy melodies with introspective lyrics but lacks strong cohesion across its length.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the melodic richness.
  • The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective mood as the album concludes.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady melodic journey throughout
  • uplifting themes of personal growth
  • for sunny afternoons
  • gentle background for social gatherings
  • engaging sing-alongs with friends

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer intense, high-energy music
  • want quick, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Fan Favorite — Beloved by fans for its warmth and introspective lyrics, though not the most accessible.
Career context
Released on January 1, 2012, 'Love Is a Four Letter Word' is Jason Mraz's fourth studio album, following his breakthrough success with 'We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.' in 2008. By this time, he had solidified his position as a mainstream artist known for his uplifting, acoustic-driven sound and heartfelt songwriting.
Stylistic neighbors
Jack Johnson· Colbie Caillat· Ben Harper

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 The Freedom Song 4:00
  • 2 Living in the Moment 3:55
  • 3 The Woman I Love 3:04
  • 4 I Won’t Give Up 3:58
  • 5 5/6 5:57
  • 6 Everything Is Sound 4:45
  • 7 93 Million Miles 3:36
  • 8 Frank D. Fixer 4:45
  • 9 Who’s Thinking About You Now? 4:47
  • 10 In Your Hands 4:51
  • 11 Be Honest 3:25
  • 12 The World as I See It / I’m Coming Over 8:46

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata