John Mayer Returns to His Roots on ‘The Search for Everything’

Stephanie Hernandez

John Mayer has not released a full-length studio album since his foray into country on “Paradise Valley” in 2013. His experimentation with the genre garnered mixed reviews, thus encouraging the singer/songwriter to return to his blues rock roots. Following months of teasers, Mayer is finally baring it all on his latest, “The Search For Everything.” Releasing the record in two “waves,” each consisting of four tracks, Mayer made the first set public on January 20. The second came in on February 24 with the remaining four tracks not being made available until the record’s official release on April 14. Mayer brought back the production team from 2006’s celebrated “Continuum” to smooth out the edges and hopefully recapture some of that early-aughts fame. The twelve track album, though a departure from his last two records, certainly harkens back to some of his earlier, more blues-infused work. Offering a collection his die-hard fans will enjoy, Mayer does little to push himself, instead relying on old tricks (as good as they may be) to satisfy their thirst.

Mayer opens strong with “Getting Over,” where rich harmonies and simple guitars let Mayer’s distinctive songwriting shine through –  before he loses his balance on “Changing.” While vocals over a melodic grand piano sound intriguing, especially coming from Mayer, the track brings in a full band halfway through without ever picking up the pace. It’s this dichotomy found throughout the record that leaves the listener feeling a little unsatisfied. Mayer ups the ante with his lead single “Love on the Weekend.” A classic Mayer move, this guitar-laden love song shows off what he does best – play to our deep-seated desires. Flexing his pop muscles on “You’re Gonna Live Forever In Me,” the man sings as if he knows he’s got a top 40 hit on his hands. Solid but safe, it’s clear Mayer knows what his fans want but may have run out of ways to surprise us. Sure there are some gleaming moments, like on the funk-infused “Still Feel Like your Man” and the earworm “Helpless,” but Mayer simply touches on these, choosing to commit fully to more easily digestible tracks.

As a whole, it is apparent that wave one was meant to set the tone and foundation for the record, whereas wave two’s job was to add just enough variation to keep the fans interested. While both of those goals were accomplished, “The Search For Everything” finishes feeling a bit tired. Lyrically Mayer chooses not to stray too far from his comfort zone, keeping “the relationship” as a central theme throughout the album’s entirety. Nothing particularly jaw-dropping or innovative, but also nothing exceptionally off-putting, “The Search For Everything” sounds like the John Mayer we knew 10 years ago. Sadly, nothing much has changed.

While the episodic release of “The Search For Everything” began as a sign that Mayer was delving into uncharted territory, his efforts have fallen a bit stale here. Maneuvering between styles we’ve seen him excel at in the past, here all his bouncing around feels as if he is trying very hard to avoid attempting anything new. Reliable but hardly out of the ordinary, Mayer can and hopefully will do better.

“The Search For Everything” is available on Apple Music April 14.