Album Review: Sob Rock by John Mayer
John Mayer is a singer, guitarist, and producer from Connecticut. While he played small shows at coffee shops when he was in college, he reached mainstream success in the early 2000s and had a record deal. A few decades later, John Mayer is still making music and comes out with his eighth studio record, Sob Rock.
The first track from the album is Last Train Home. This was one of the more recent singles for the project, but I didn’t really get a chance to listen to it now. With the synths and guitar part, I can’t help but get an 80s vibe from the instrumentation. However, the guitar and synth part just seem to clash on this track which is throwing me off a bit. Other than that, you are greeted by John Mayer’s vocals, so I guess that’s a plus.
After that, we have Shouldn’t Matter but It Does. You get your classic John Mayer with the quiet and soothing vocals, as well as an acoustic guitar in the background. We do have a quiet droning synth in the background which isn’t as overpowering as the previous track. Judging by the lyrics and what others are saying, it’s about a relationship that’s over, but it’s hard to move on. Some people are pointing out that he could be talking about Katy Perry in the third verse.
New Light should be the track that everyone knows by now, especially since it has been out since mid 2018. While I am surprised that it’s on this album, I must say, that it’s still a great track three years after it’s release. It just have a groovy sort of feeling to the track, but the music video for this track is a bit crazy if you’ve ever seen it. Other than that, he wants this person to give him one night to show her that he’s got what it takes.
Why You No Love Me is.. a bit strange. With a title like that, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but he actually said it, which is odd to say the least. While he has said he has spoken those words in a relationship, it just seems childish and takes away the seriousness of the track. I can’t even really get through the chorus without cringing. Other than that, the instrumentation is okay with the descending guitar line, but it’s nothing that will fix how terrible the lyrics are.
Wild Blue is giving me similar vibes to New Light, which would have been a better replacement than the previous track. Back on track, we get a decent drum beat, bass line, and your usual guitar that has been on every track so far. Even the vocal harmonies stand out on this one so this has been easily one of the better tracks on the project. In an interview, John Mayer talks about how this song is about having time for yourself and discovery after a break up.
Shot in the Dark continues to borrow some of the 80s ideas that most of the other tracks on the album has. With the guitars and light piano part, I could easily see it pass as a track for a cheesy 80s romantic movie. The instrumentation isn’t really anything special, but it’s nice to see some guitar solos since most of the other tracks have incorporated it. Other than that, many have speculated that this track takes a look in the past with him and Taylor Swift’s relationship.
I Guess I Just Feel Like was another single for this album. However, similar to New Light, this track has been out for almost three years, so it’s a bit strange to see some of the older singles make the cut for the project. I haven’t heard this track before, but I don’t really care for it as much. It doesn’t really take any of the 80s influence from earlier, and the instrumentation is lackluster, minus the instrumental breaks in the middle and end of the track.
Til the Right One Comes brings back some of the influences, and we actually have some more electronic tidbits added to the beginning of the track. Other than that, the guitar and piano will still overpower most of the other instrumentals. John Mayer talks about why he hasn’t found anyone to be with and he just says he’s waiting for the right one to show up for him. Some people also say there may be a jab towards Taylor Swift on the last chorus of the track.
Carry Me Away was another single for the album, but was released back in 2019, so I’m surprised to see this one on here. It’s also the shortest track on the project since it’s under three minutes in length. I’m loving the vibe and tune of this track though. While it does have similar instrumentation, it’s used in such a way that makes it more unique than some of the previous ones we heard. Other than that, it’s one of the few projects on this album that isn’t boring.
The final track we have on the project is All I Want Is to Be With You. It opens up with a western-sounding guitar part which is usually carried on through the non-singing parts of the track. Honestly, that’s one of the only good parts of this track since everything else just seems uninteresting, even John Mayer’s vocals during the first few verses. Lyrically, people are assuming this track is about Katy Perry and how he still wants to be with her.
Overall Rating: 5/10
Favorite Tracks: New Light, Wild Blue, Carry Me Away
Originally published at https://www.lazymusicguru.com
