John Mayer
Paradise Valley
Reviewed by: Lexi Bissonnette
John Mayer’s back with his 6th studio album, Paradise Valley, and it just continues to get better for this musician. Taking on a brand new instrumental sound, this album has a lot of country influence paired with his soulful beautiful voice. Overall it’s filled with pep and energy, catchy lyrics and of course his voice, that all his past albums have had.
The album perfectly mixes his alternative roots with the strong guitar skills off his John Mayer Trio days. His voice slides smoothly through the music and easily pleases the ears as it always had. Bringing back sounds that were slightly absent in Battle Studies and Born and Raised, this album will skyrocket the way his initial ones did and easily be a fan favorite.
Each track is easy to tap your foot to or slip into singing along even after one listen. “Wildfire” kicks the album off to a great energetic start with strong guitar riffs and a catchy beat. Slipping perfectly into his slower, soulful sounds reminiscent of his first album is “Dear Marie”, a beautiful love ballad while still retaining the clear country influence for this album. “Waitin’ On the Day” sounds so much like tracks from the past like “1983” and “Inside Wants Out”. The album continued in much the same fashion with each track seemingly growing stronger than the one that came prior. “You’re No One ‘Til Someone Lets You Down” being my personal favorite. It encompasses everything he’s built himself on and the brilliant new country sound he’s brought to both his music style, vocals and lyrics.
Rating: Iconic
