John Mayer
The Search for Everything

Here he is with his new endeavor, the prodigy boy from Connecticut, class of 1977, a well-rounded guitarist and singer-songwriter.

The Search for Everything is released "in installments" with various episodes that keep Mayer's fans on the edge of their seats, with expectations certainly not low.

Production entrusted, among others, to the trusty Steven Jordan, Mayer's historic drummer as well as that of his trio.

Top-notch musicians like the renowned bassist Pino Palladino give a "black" character to some tracks, and in this respect, the revival of D'Angelo has had considerable influence.

The fresh breeze is already felt in the first track "Steel Feel Like Your Man," where the groove reigns supreme, a piece between pop and contemporary R&B.

Has our singer-songwriter joined the revival of black music in recent years? Perhaps not entirely.

A positive note of this album is the variety that Mayer has accustomed us to. Although born as a fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan, in his career, he has also tipped his hat to soul, pop, American folk, and good old rock.

An album, as always, should be listened to in one sitting, trying to capture the sensations, the heart, and the mind of its creator. After several listens, I believe that this seventh album of our guitarist can be divided into two parts. The first part where you tap your foot to BPMs that wink at rap (yes, rap) and indeed black music. Another more varied section, where it ranges from folk to pop and rock blues.

We are talking, first and foremost, about a guitarist with great talent, a musician who knows well how he wants his records to "sound." He lets himself be influenced by various genres while remaining true to the history of music across the ocean. Thinking about this artist, the first word that comes to mind is taste, and he has it in spades.

Listening to this "The Search for Everything," it's clear that our John has a great musical sensitivity.

Some flat pop moments like "Love on the Weekend" leave you puzzled... does such a talent really need radio hits to stay relevant? Or is it perhaps done to afford a new luxury watch, John's passion?

The ability to write songs that touch the heart is evident in "In The Blood," where the acoustic and beautiful lyrics are best appreciated with a nice glass of red wine.

Other interesting moments are "Rosie" and "Roll it on Home." The middle/ending part of the album, however, makes way for introspective ballads that slow down the overall fluidity.

It has always been "criticized" that this artist thinks more about the latest girlfriend than about music. However, I believe that Mayer's career isn't based solely on gossip. I believe the current music business could endanger the authentic artistic vein of a singer who has proven over the years to write truly beautiful songs.

The expectation for someone who created a truly unique album like "Continuum" in 2006 is, and should be, high. "Gravity," "Belief," or "Stop this Train" are clear examples of beautiful music and lyrics.

Looking back at the beautiful live performance in Los Angeles "Where the Light Is," you see a younger John with fewer tattoos, less graceful, but perhaps more authentic. To get to know him, one should start from a concert, in fact, the real dimension of a person who loves to play. An unforgettable moment from that live performance remains the goosebumps-inducing cover of Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'.

Perhaps that boy has lost his way over the years, or perhaps he's just coasted along. The blues, so dear to Mayer, teaches that in "suffering," a musician's soul is revealed. Paradoxically, indeed, simultaneously with his darkest period (due to vocal cord issues), he would give birth to the acoustic "Born and Raised," less radio-friendly but more hard-earned and therefore true.

If there is raw talent, it doesn't fade over the years; you just need to keep it alive like a fire that should never be extinguished. Motivation, the magic word. The star system and shopping are just the background and should not pose an obstacle. It's also true that every artist has a creative peak, but I believe that if this guy finds himself again, he might deliver another five-star album.

With this one, as with the previous one, he gets three. "Just keep me where the light is," dear John Clayton Mayer.