John Mayer's second studio album in fifteen months, as the title Paradise Valley suggests, is a more contented affair than much of his previous work. Picking up the baton from 2012's Born and Raised, Mayer continues to explore the seventies infused country rock of his previous record. But rather than simply repeating himself, he broadens his horizons by re-introducing more familiar blues elements, and some surprising guest vocalists. The resulting collection of songs may lack some of the attention grabbing guitar playing that Mayer is capable of, but ultimately, it's perhaps his most satisfying album to date.
While Paradise Valley continues to mine a nostalgic streak, Mayer seems at peace with his past demons. It's a very grown up record, a feat that seems to elude some artists. As 'Dear Marie' demonstrates Mayer's able to look back with a new sense of perspective: "Remember me, I'm the boy you used to love when we were fifteen Now I wonder what you think when you see me on a magazine?" He goes on to reach the conclusion: "I've got my dream, but you've got family." Despite a sense of regret, there's no bitterness, Mayer seems genuinely happy with his place in life and is eager to learn from past mistakes.
That sentiment shines through on the hazy blues anthem 'Wildfire'. It's all handclaps and catchy guitars, as Mayer tells an unnamed lover: "You can rest your head on my shoulder if you want to get older with me. Because a little bit of summer makes a lot of history." Certainly by the end of Paradise Valley Mayer is firmly looking to the future, rather than the past. That's made abundantly clear on penultimate track 'Badge and Gun' with the lines: "The lock is on the cellar door, I can't remember what it's for. I ain't been down those stairs in oh so long." Even the most headline grabbing moment on Paradise Valley, 'Paper Doll', seems relatively restrained. Speculation remains as to whether the song is a direct response to Taylor Swift, but despite some keenly observed lyrics, it seems Mayer's not overly inclined to linger on his celebrity status.
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