SHREDnews

By: Jonny Drybanski

Love is a battle field, as the saying goes, and singer songwriter and guitarist John Mayer gives us his manifesto on the subject in his latest full length LP Battle Studies. Staying true to his pop roots, Mayer has crafted a solid selection of heartfelt ballads and soft-rock songs, punctuated with his distinct blues influenced guitar work, all illustrating the ins and outs of love, loss, friendship and drama in every note sung and plucked alike.

The somber, thick and echoing chorus on All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye, segues into the more upbeat and optimistic tale of conflicted lovers, Half Of My Heart, a country rock duet sung with the help of teen super star Taylor Swift.

Debut single for the album, Who Says, is a kind of “love of life song”. Celebrating the worldly pleasures of getting stoned, taking time, and enjoying the company of those close to you in a reflective way. The lyrics are specific enough to create relatable imagery, yet vague enough to hold individual significance for each individual listener.

Perfectly Lonely moves to another frontline of the battle field of love, the single life. “That’s the way I want it” Mayer sings in the outro, conveying contentment and optimism looking forward. This track is sure to mend countless high school breakups.

On his last album Continuum, Mayer covered classic rock legend Jimi Hendrix’ Bold As Love, and this time around a cover of Cream’s Crossroads makes the cut, Once again reminding listeners of his influences outside of the pop realm. Starting out in a minimalistic manner, this cover is very spacious, with subdued use of distorted guitar between crisp and clean drumming.

Overall, Battle Studies is a sincerely earnest look into one artists’ many perspectives on the indefinable force of love. These do not sound like incubated pop tunes pushed by a recording label merely to gain mainstream success, in my mind John Mayer has earned his place in pop-culture through his consistent production of relevant and relatable lyrics wrapped up in catchy hooks, intelligent structure and solid musicianship from all angles.

Top Tracks To Listen To:

All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye

Who Says

Assassin

Crossroads

For Listeners Of:

Jack Johnson

Jason Mraz