Sob Rock
by John Mayer
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Jul 16, 2021
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 40
  3. Negative: 4 out of 40
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. VBSBazooka
    Nov 4, 2021
    5
    Listening to this album while the idea and actually some of the execution were good, they didn't change up the formula too much here. It feels like for 80% of the album you are listening to the same song over and over again. The idea of nostalgic 80's rock music is good but it just goes to show that maybe some of this 80's rock he based it off of wasn't much different than the product thatListening to this album while the idea and actually some of the execution were good, they didn't change up the formula too much here. It feels like for 80% of the album you are listening to the same song over and over again. The idea of nostalgic 80's rock music is good but it just goes to show that maybe some of this 80's rock he based it off of wasn't much different than the product that came out here, if you get what I mean. Overall, every song is fine and listenable but I wouldn't be able to pick a favorite or a least favorite due to the same-ness of the entire album.

    Favorite Songs: N/A
    Least Favorite Songs: N/A    … Expand
  2. hausoflilluis
    Aug 31, 2021
    3
    I'm sorry, I'm really sorry but this album didn't touched me at all. The first single was the best the album has ever had, for the little luck. I waited for something not so sweet, and suddenly shocking. John, you have talent and you're not using it properly.

    fav tracks: "Wild Blue", "Shot in the Dark" & "Why You No Love Me"
    KEY-TRACK: "New Light"
  3. Lilyxo
    Aug 19, 2021
    1
    Disappointing and awfully boring , I guess I expected so much better from him
  4. mrsprinklz
    Aug 7, 2021
    10
    This album is the peak of john Mayer's creative ethos. Lush melodies, gorgeous production, clever and honest lyricism, fantastic guitar work, and a conceptual wonder. if you haven't I recommend you watch the "Sob Rock Interview" with Zane Lowe, Apple Music. The 80's mantra is clear, without being so over the top that you can't enjoy the tracks seriously. And vocally, this is his SMOOTHESTThis album is the peak of john Mayer's creative ethos. Lush melodies, gorgeous production, clever and honest lyricism, fantastic guitar work, and a conceptual wonder. if you haven't I recommend you watch the "Sob Rock Interview" with Zane Lowe, Apple Music. The 80's mantra is clear, without being so over the top that you can't enjoy the tracks seriously. And vocally, this is his SMOOTHEST work. All in all, there's nothing to dislike here, John Mayer is a saint of music.… Expand
  5. Jungstir
    Jul 19, 2021
    10
    Heartfelt, crisp and on par for John Mayer fine guitar work, soft vocals and production,. You may want to listen to it a few times it's addicting!
  6. kranker22
    Jul 19, 2021
    9
    Great feel good album, just relax and enjoy. The track "wild Blue" is really great !
  7. Bdhere
    Jul 18, 2021
    10
    Great song reminiscent of the past legends. Awesome writing, production arrangements and guitar. Just awesome.
  8. Loueez
    Jul 18, 2021
    9
    Great album! The idea is solid, solos are amazing as usual and the 80's vibe is amazing. You can see clear Dire Straits, Lionel Richie and Phil Collins references, with some spice. Doesn't invest much on individual songs, and the album becomes less appealing because of this. As a fan, I'm satisfied :)
  9. Kirabax
    Jul 17, 2021
    7
    As a huge John's fan (f.e. i listened Still Feel Like Your Man 700 times. True story!) I really had great expectations. Last Train Home was a great single so my expectations even grew. Finally, i am satisfied. I think its a great "guilty pleasure" album, the one which you probably wont show to your friends because the songs are to clichy (Why You No Love Me,cmon).
  10. WakandaJanitor
    Jul 17, 2021
    5
    Note: All of this is coming from a long-time John Mayer fan.

    Y'know, Mayer used to have a couple of whiny songs here and there back in the day, but it felt genuine/maybe a tad relatable. If it wasn't, worst-case, I'd skip the track. But this album, hoo boy this album. It's the self-pity of a former "ego addict." I get it; with a name like Sob Rock, what else was I to expect? But I find    Note: All of this is coming from a long-time John Mayer fan.

    Y'know, Mayer used to have a couple of whiny songs here and there back in the day, but it felt genuine/maybe a tad relatable. If it wasn't, worst-case, I'd skip the track. But this album, hoo boy this album. It's the self-pity of a former "ego addict." I get it; with a name like Sob Rock, what else was I to expect? But I find myself skipping every track after hearing this album all the way through. Way overhyped, don't waste your money. "Wild Blue" is a track worth the listen, though.    … Expand
  11. bsealy1
    Jul 17, 2021
    10
    John has created the perfect soft rock album. Every song is a jewel. The older John gets, the better songwriter he becomes. And Don Was production is always top-knotch. Love this album. Great for long summer days that slowly fade into night. Add an adult beverage and it’s the perfect way to end the work week and slide into the weekend.
  12. Stjm9999
    Jul 17, 2021
    4
    Too safe. Middle of the road country lyrics and production. To my ear it's like John isn't in the same place as the rest of the musicians. So was this a lockdown album? As a result no real musician interaction. Vocals done in isolation? There's something not right about this album. Maybe it's the rhythm section. Drums and bass quantized to the click, then overmixed... Aaaah! Maybe I'mToo safe. Middle of the road country lyrics and production. To my ear it's like John isn't in the same place as the rest of the musicians. So was this a lockdown album? As a result no real musician interaction. Vocals done in isolation? There's something not right about this album. Maybe it's the rhythm section. Drums and bass quantized to the click, then overmixed... Aaaah! Maybe I'm just over this stuff. John is a stunning and able musician. His riffs are usually cool, but this is verging on just clever with his use of seemingly odd modes. Not emotional. His guitar should be making us cry or dance. Not looking on and politely applauding his great playing ability. This album is beneath him. Sorry John... '4/10 could do better'
    And to be honest I had to stop listening after 6 tracks as I found it too irritating.

    With my review it'll probably go double or triple platinum. ! ;-)    … Expand
  13. Betooliveiraa
    Jul 16, 2021
    10
    Simple as only John Mayer can be. Guitar solos? Still there. Great voice? As aways.
    Even still, a diferent one. Genius.

    "Why You Don't Love Me" is absolutely fantastic.
  14. ifixthingsjr
    Jul 16, 2021
    10
    From the track listing to the order of the songs. Everything fits in perfectly. This is a movie more than an album. "Shouldn't Matter But It Does" hits so good, and just sets you up to feel the pain and sob rock.
  15. yjwno0
    Jul 16, 2021
    10
    As a hard fan who listened all of his songs hundred times each, Sob Rock is the best album after Continuum (Maybe better than Continuum) IMHO. John successfully brought 80s vibe into his own style we all love.

    But whiling having that 80s vibe, it's not cheesy at all. Its quality and completeness is just perfect and guitar playing suits the tone of songs. It differentiates the album from    As a hard fan who listened all of his songs hundred times each, Sob Rock is the best album after Continuum (Maybe better than Continuum) IMHO. John successfully brought 80s vibe into his own style we all love.

    But whiling having that 80s vibe, it's not cheesy at all. Its quality and completeness is just perfect and guitar playing suits the tone of songs. It differentiates the album from other pop albums which sometimes have pretentious guitar solo.

    10/10 John Mayer's second golden age after Continuum.    … Expand
  16. carolinakinter
    Jul 16, 2021
    10
    Amazing! 40 minutes long but it is not enough. I could hear it over and over again.
  17. AJKolevsohn
    Jul 16, 2021
    6
    Not a bad album. Kind of sounds like a standard John Mayer album but it does have some nice little flourishes. I just hoped that it would deliver something a bit more exciting

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. AllMusic
    Jul 27, 2021
    70
    Sob Rock is a pleasant album whose thematic '80s affections add some stylistic flair to Mayer's laid-back songs.
    Read full review
  2. The New York Times
    Jul 21, 2021
    40
    In places, like “Carry Me Away,” the triumph of the arrangement is potent enough to cloak the brittle lyrical bones it sits upon. But in general, Mayer’s songwriting is resistant to even the most thorough gussying up. And even at its most robust, “Sob Rock” is placid, never doing more than winking.
    Read full review
  3. Variety
    Jul 16, 2021
    80
    His performance style is just affectless enough that he’s always tended to be more of a heart-tugger than tearjerker. And yet there’s a real pathos at the bottom of these era-specific arrangements that lends itself to the idea that a lonely boy might seek solace from the troubles of today in the musical comfort food of the yacht-rock era. All of which is to say: The damn thing kind of works.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »