Which one singer can possibly get away with everything – and I mean, everything – from breaking hearts, to terrible backstage antics, but is still loved by thousands, if not billions of womenfolk all across the globe?

I answer you in three words: John Clayton Mayer.

Crooning voice, brooding looks; a gaze that can melt any girl’s heart – “no words needed, I’m yours.”

Let’s put aside the fact that Mayer has actually been around quite a lot (yes, a lot, including Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Simpson, Taylor Swift, and now dating Katy Perry). That’s just one out of two of his remarkable skills. He is also one hell of a musician.

With already six studio albums under his belt – all generally accepted with favourable reviews by fans and non-fans – Mayer is now set to release another album to be christened, ‘Paradise Valley’.

At point of writing, the whole album has been made available on iTunes (Aug 13, 2013). There are a few that might catch your fancy. One is a duet with current girlfriend; Katy Perry, titled ‘Who You Love’. There is also ‘Wildfire’ which he recorded in two versions; one featuring 55th Grammy Awards winner, Frank Ocean and another is a country blues version without him. And finally there is ‘Paper Doll’ which was rumoured to be a song written about his failed relationship with Taylor Swift.

No matter where he draws his inspiration from – past or current relationships – one thing is for sure: this album will have a warm welcome come August 20, which is the tentative date for the release.

Personally I’m super psyched about ‘Paradise Valley’ already and can’t wait to get a copy. Most of his songs has a more Americana, country blues, folk-ish groove to them (more electric guitar than harmonica), but I’m expecting that this album won’t be too far off from the previous gem, ‘Born and Raised’ (2012). The bluesy element is also probably due to its namesake of a river valley located in southwest Montana. I have a feeling the album would be a great addition to your “gloomy Sunday pick-me-up” record category.

So just to feast your ears, here’s a favourite of mine (until I listen properly to the full album), titled ‘Dear Marie’ just because it has a nostalgic feel to it that everyone can relate to and because Mayer is best when he wears his heart on his sleeve.


#mayerisback guys.

The writer used to have a heavy liking towards Mayer during his ‘Your Body’s A Wonderland’ phenomenon, SOLELY for his musical talent, and not because of his good looks. Ok, maybe a tad.