Paradise Valley
by John Mayer
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Aug 20, 2013
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 49 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 49
  3. Negative: 3 out of 49
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  1. Monty423
    Aug 20, 2013
    7
    This is a good, not great album by John Mayer. The album is very country and folk driven and doesn't seem to have a purpose. The feature by Frank Ocean is great. The feature by Katy is almost useless with a very cheez-y song( almost like Sonnie and Cher). This isn't classic John, but its worth listening to
  2. VonSeux
    Dec 17, 2013
    6
    Very competent album, shows his guitar-side better than other titles but still one step behind Joe Bonamassa. Mayer still a "singer" instead of a "guitar player" and some choices here might appeal better to radios, but grown old fast.
  3. rushmaster
    Aug 20, 2013
    8
    With his previous album “Born and Raised” he moved into a completely different direction that he had never been before. He became to me a country/folk singer, which at first I disliked, but then it grew on me, and I found myself beginning to really like his new style. However “Born and Raised” is my least favorite John Mayer CD. But with “Paradise Valley” he stayed in the same directionWith his previous album “Born and Raised” he moved into a completely different direction that he had never been before. He became to me a country/folk singer, which at first I disliked, but then it grew on me, and I found myself beginning to really like his new style. However “Born and Raised” is my least favorite John Mayer CD. But with “Paradise Valley” he stayed in the same direction and he improved his new style. I would say that this is the best album since “Continuum.” The album isn’t that different from his last one, but it is just a more improved version of “Born and Raised,” which was also a good album. This album is just better.

    What made the album better for me was that it was a little bit happier then the other “Born and raised.” “Born and Raised” had some happy songs, but a few at the same time that I found to be kind of sad or a little too slow. This album for the most part I find to be pretty uplifting, and even the slower ones are still happy. This is just a more cheerful CD to me at least. But at the same time it still has the same feel as the previous one. It has a few Bob Dylan like songs, and a few blue grass, country, and blues songs. Like all of his albums every song on the album is unique in some way.

    The first song released was “Paper Doll,” which is a very good and relaxing song. It is more of a bluesy song, and less country then his other ones. It has interesting lyrics, and steady simple beat, which makes it a very easy to listen too song. The next single that was realeased was “Wildfire,” which is a good but poppy blues song. A good song, but not one of the strongest ones off of the record.

    The best song off of the CD in my opinion is “I will be found (Lost at Sea).” It is a very pretty ballad that strays away from the albums more country/blues style. Mayer is usually very focused on his guitar, and he rarely ever does ballads, but it is songs like this one that show that Mayer should write more ballads. I would say that this is one of his best songs now.

    The second best song off of this CD is “On The Way Home.” It is a country song that is a very good song to listen to while you are driving, because of it’s uplifting mood, and a melody that is very easy to sing a long to. This is the type of song that if played in concert everybody would probably sing along too. Like all the other songs off of the CD it is also very relaxing, and easy to listen too, that is also catchy at the same time. I say that this is one of John Mayer’s best country songs for sure.

    There are certain songs on this album like “Dear Marie” that aren’t great, but they are still good. “Dear Marie” is like the “Stop This Train,” or the “Speak For Me” of this CD, except it picks up more at the end. “Waiting On The Day” is a relaxing song, but it isn’t great. It is extremely simple, and I would just say it is okay. Not one of his best, but not his worst. “Who You Love” is a bit repetitive at times. I felt like doing it with Katy Perry was unnecessary. I mostly feel that way because I hate Katy Perry. But still the song was good. It just wasn’t the best. The rest of the songs are all good, but those are the ones that I felt like I had things to say about.

    It was a very good album, with many good songs. It had a unique country style, which not may country singers can do. It was easy to listen to, but happy at the same time. One of John’s best for sure.    … Expand
  4. trolepeterson
    Aug 20, 2013
    9
    While people dismiss John Mayer's new album, "Paradise Valley" is surprising me in great ways. Mayer made an album that isn't written to be a hit. It's written for the sake of art. He wrote songs that move him and groove in the purest musical sense. Before you read the iTunes reviews choked with "Go back to Continuum!" and the like, listen to it. It's not the catchiest tune, the mostWhile people dismiss John Mayer's new album, "Paradise Valley" is surprising me in great ways. Mayer made an album that isn't written to be a hit. It's written for the sake of art. He wrote songs that move him and groove in the purest musical sense. Before you read the iTunes reviews choked with "Go back to Continuum!" and the like, listen to it. It's not the catchiest tune, the most beautiful melody, or the fastest guitar solo that John has written. It puts his life and current worldview into music. Frankly, I'm starting to really like it. The music isn't fast or covered in an impressive zebra-print sheen. It's honest, organic, and wonderful music.… Expand
  5. Erichenderson
    Aug 22, 2013
    8
    While this is not Mayer's best album, (i still rank continuum at the 1 spot) he consistently has shown his ability to create his own genre. Paradise valley takes you to a new place with johns music. Coming off of born and raised we knew this one would have a country feel but what he also did was incorporate some of the old John into it. With his tasteful guitar playing and his clever andWhile this is not Mayer's best album, (i still rank continuum at the 1 spot) he consistently has shown his ability to create his own genre. Paradise valley takes you to a new place with johns music. Coming off of born and raised we knew this one would have a country feel but what he also did was incorporate some of the old John into it. With his tasteful guitar playing and his clever and relatable lyrics, John took us to a new place called paradise valley. This is some of his most honest work as he looks back at his past and grows as a person, and I think that helps some people relate to what he is doing. This album is great.… Expand
  6. remyplambert
    Sep 8, 2013
    7
    The evolution of John Mayer's musical styles are seen in full effect in Paradise Valley, where country/ folk undertones are seen paired with catchy and smooth hooks. Compared to Continuum and Room For Squares, it lacks a certain star quality and is less memorable, but still shows that, in the music scene, John Mayer can do not wrong.
  7. PRTYNTGRVS
    Oct 23, 2013
    8
    There’s a lot of country rock, Americana influences on this album and that is evident to where Mayer is becoming comfortable with his music as it continues from Born and Raised as any trace of his acoustic pop days are almost gone. He plays the instrumentation and lyrics safe but excusing the characterless vocal delivery and lazy energy, the album becomes enjoyable and makes for good roadThere’s a lot of country rock, Americana influences on this album and that is evident to where Mayer is becoming comfortable with his music as it continues from Born and Raised as any trace of his acoustic pop days are almost gone. He plays the instrumentation and lyrics safe but excusing the characterless vocal delivery and lazy energy, the album becomes enjoyable and makes for good road trip music. Maybe even music one might listen to out in the country, where Mayer is apparently comfortable in. In his relaxed, breezy rural paradise is where Mayer basks and he’s ready to settle down.

    Follow @PRTYNTGRVS for more music reviews    … Expand
  8. ClassyDevo
    Nov 10, 2013
    9
    To me this is a perfect John Mayer album (nothing gets a 10 out of 10 in my books). Of course he has lots of love songs but that's just how he write as do a lot of popular artists. It is very folk and country driven which I find suits him very well and of course he dabbles in a bit of blues also. I was little worried about how this album would sound since he had just released Born andTo me this is a perfect John Mayer album (nothing gets a 10 out of 10 in my books). Of course he has lots of love songs but that's just how he write as do a lot of popular artists. It is very folk and country driven which I find suits him very well and of course he dabbles in a bit of blues also. I was little worried about how this album would sound since he had just released Born and Raised the year before but this is by far a more polished John Mayer and for that i thank him!… Expand
  9. mchlkirk77
    Nov 15, 2013
    5
    Hoped to give this album a higher score, as always, I try to stay optimistic, although this one did not hook me at all and basically bored me to tears.
  10. gabrielcipriano
    Dec 21, 2018
    8
    Rejected, but surprising in many ways. Mayer had an abum written to be a beautiful work of art, and not for numbers! It has the sound and purest production of the musical sense. It's not that sticky tune or something that can hold you, it's a different thing and it's totally wonderful sound.
  11. Pratini
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Um dos melhores álbuns dele, particularmente gostei muito da sonora colocada nesse álbum, da voz e da incomparável guitarra do John.
  12. hdcooper
    Apr 8, 2021
    5
    This is a good, not great album by John Mayer. While the album doesn’t have the dynamic genre-hopping sensibility that Born and Raised had. But just like any Mayer record, there will always be some great songs, this album just seems to have too many lackluster moments. Sounds like Born and Raised b-sides.
    5.7/10

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Most Discussed Album of 2013
19
#19 Most Shared Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Aug 23, 2013
    75
    Eleven songs that hit the mark where last year’s overwrought "Born and Raised" mostly missed, Paradise Valley is a more lyrically restrained and less generically reflective affair. And musically, it’s bigger, more accomplished and more approachable.
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  2. PopMatters
    Aug 21, 2013
    80
    The level of growth on Paradise Valley with respect to Mayer’s ability as a singer/songwriter is remarkable, especially considering how the first go-round of this sonic experiment happened only last year.
    Read full review
  3. Boston Globe
    Aug 20, 2013
    50
    These new songs are so amiable that you wonder where they’re meant to take you. Often the breezy journey--while pleasant enough--leads to dead ends.
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