John Mayer’s ‘Sob Rock’ Walks Through Loneliness, One Track At A Time.
Heartbreak, sadness and regret—all common emotions associated with breakups and sad songs. However, it’s the feeling of being alone that John Mayer toggles with throughout the entirety of his new soft rock album, Sob Rock, as he walks the listener through different stages of loneliness delivered with an 80s twist.
Sob Rock is different than any other music Mayer has put out before. Not only does he mostly focus on the idea of being alone in the past, present and future, but he does so with over-the-top 80s flair. Sob Rock’s beats, cover art, and merchandise are all in tune with 80s aesthetics and trends (cassette tape, anyone?). With influences ranging from Michael Jackson to Richard Marx, Mayer uses his voice and guitar to tell the story of a lonely man throughout Sob Rock.
Sob Rock consists of 10 tracks, all holding melancholy messages. Sad records have become increasingly popular, as evidence by pop-star Olivia Rodrigo's hit album, SOUR. However, with Sob Rock, there is something beautiful and honest about an album chock-full of loneliness and loss coming from a man most would presume was on top of the world, like John Mayer.
Loneliness is often described as a negative feeling. Mayer expresses the feeling of hopelessness and loss on “Shouldn’t Matter but It Does,” “I Guess I Just Feel Like,” and “Why You No Love Me.” All these tracks, although musically beautiful, walk through the negative feelings associated with heartbreak. In between guitar riffs, Mayer shares his woulda-coulda-shoulda regrets. He feels hopeless, and on what will likely be the most polarizing song on the record, “Why You No Love Me,” reduced to a point before verbal expression of his feelings.
“Carry Me Away” and “Shot in the Dark” take us up a few levels of loneliness to a place where Mayer appears ready for a fresh start. These tracks are more optimistic, as Mayer begins to see the benefits of being alone, in that you can give someone all of you. Through clever lyrics and 80s-inspired beats, Mayer talks about his future and how badly he wants to give his love to someone. Oh, did we mention the “Shot in the Dark” music video includes mannequins, a cat, land-lines galore, and a dove release?! It’s worth watching just for the amazing dance sequence that starts around the 2:40 mark.
As a whole, Sob Rock is an extremely vulnerable record, at times disguised by its 80s costume. But with a close listen, it’s clear not only does Mayer experience loneliness throughout Sob Rock, he embraces it. “Wild Blue” and “Till the Right One Comes” are both songs that go further into the idea of being OK with being alone. And that sometimes, being alone allows you to grow into a new person, experience new places and bettering yourself for when the right one comes.
It would be easy to conclude that Sob Rock as a whole is a heartbreaking and sad record, but that would be selling it short. The melodies, guitar pieces, musical choices and funny innuendos, add up to an album with the power to transform the way we see loneliness. Not only do these songs have deep rooted meanings for the listener and Mayer, but the album’s track list also is perfectly curated to be a playlist onto itself. The songs on Sob Rock flow from on to another, creating a story about a man’s love life that is both lonely, yet optimistic for love.
As a playlist, Sob Rock’s most upbeat moments include the first single “Last Train Home,” which could very well be the spiritual sequel to Toto’s “Africa.” While most of Sob Rock dwells on the past, “Last Train Home” explores the feeling of one person as the end goal, and the importance of waiting for them, since they are the last ticket home. You can put the tissues away for the groovy “New Light” as well, which will leave you wondering who invited Jamiroquai to this 80s theme party. But as a whole, Sob Rock delivers mostly chill beats and a playlist that pairs best with a nightcap around the fire. But, make sure not to have too many, or "Why You No Love Me" will end in some tears.
