Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz emerged on the music scene in 2002 with a sunny folk sound combined with skillful lyricism. Discovered in San Diego, Mraz’s first album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, quickly topped the charts. The record’s lead single, “Remedy (I Won’t Worry),” introduced Mraz as a harbinger of California cool and skittering hip-hop stylings.

Six years later, Mraz’s songs are still a playful mix of acoustic strummings and sweetly absurd lyrics, as evidenced on his latest album, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. Mraz’s most recent single, “I’m Yours,” is proof that for all his sexual innuendo and hip-hop posturing, Mraz’s best work is often his most romantic (this could also be seen on his debut’s “You and I Both”).

Whether he’s rapping about writing on “Wordplay” or crooning about a fiery crash on “Plane,” Jason Mraz’s songs and performances are universally appealing—a feat not all singers can reach.

Jason Mraz performs at Palms Casino Resort November 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32 and $37.

By Caitlin McGarry