It's Christmas in July for me and many other John Mayer fans as the much anticipated Sob Rock is out there in the world. It's a been a long 4 years waiting for a follow up to The Search for Everything, but it just may have been worth it.
I want to get this one criticism and feeling out of the way though, I am a little disappointed in his inclusion of the the three previously released songs, 'New Light,' 'I Guess I Just Feel Like,' and 'Carry Me Away.'
It's possible that may be my own bias from listening to them individually about a million times as soon as they came out, looking for a Mayer fix to get me through. I loved them on their own, but I feel that if he were to do that, it should be among ten new originals songs, instead of the seven in Sob, because at best that makes it almost like an EP.
However, I'll be the first to say, the quality and the feel of the new songs more than make up for it.
These are some of my favorite songs he's ever written, and I meant it when I crafted this tweet:
I also didn't realize I was egregiously incorrect when putting this tweet out there:
I claim ignorance as I didn't realize at the time, it was this song, 'Shot in the Dark.'
Absolutely emotionally eviscerating for me and it's wonderful. Compositionally and lyrically, this is my favorite song off the album and probably one of my favorites he's ever released.
I can't get enough of the new aesthetic choices in this sonic era and the music videos, which is on display in 'Last Train Home' as well. I love the vibe and the homage littered throughout, down to the bottom left side credits that used to adorn all music videos. Say what you will about him and his reputation, the man is a true artist, in every sense of the word. His reverence and tribute in the present of what has been established before him in the past by other great artists is what sets him a part.
He will not be stopping by the Twin Cities either for his Sob Rock 2022 Tour, and I will not be taking any further questions at this time on how I feel about that as I am still processing it.
Overall, I couldn't be happier with this album and think it is more than deserving of a place among his highly regarded body of work.
*Also, the views expressed in this are completely my own thoughts and feelings. I haven't read any articles or other reviews prior as to be as authentic and uninfluenced as I could be in this.