Paradise Valley Album Review

There is a surprising number of John Mayer albums that can be considered Dark Horses, but I actually think Paradise Valley embodies this more than any other. As a follow-up to the well-received Born & Raised, there were some… interesting expectations placed on this Summer hit. Let’s talk about it!

Wildfire

Wildfire is the first half of a perfect bookend to this album, expressing so perfectly the feeling of the beginning of summer. It’s an upbeat bop about spending time with someone special and this airy, free, open feeling that the clearing of weather at the end of Spring really evokes. I don’t know how he pulled this song off so well, but I’ve never seen a song so perfectly encapsulate this cozy outdoor summer hangout/party vibe that I just want to live in so badly. The blend of folk, country, and John’s signature lead guitar tone makes for a very very good time.

Dear Marie

I really didn’t like this song at first, but I think it’s an interesting thought to look at. The premise of the song is talking to someone who knew you when you were young, but doesn’t know you now. John asks if they still remember him and who he used to be, as though he’s trying to connect to an old version of himself through this person from his past. In this reflection, John sees that “Marie” from his past now has a proper life, without the fame he has. I think that the most poignant line in the whole song is “I got that dream, but you got yourself a family. Yeah I got that dream, but I guess it got away from me.” This says so much about John’s mentality regarding his status, as though he got what he wanted and still lost it, alluding to a sense of regret about their diverging paths. Musically, this song is very effective at setting the tone of the album. When I think of this album, this is the vibe I think of.

Waitin’ On The Day

This song is another introspective song about John’s feelings about his life and where he wishes he was. There’s this looming sense of longing that is present through the album that comes out especially strong here. What this song lacks in energy, it makes up for in transparency into John’s regrets of his time, and desire for a future that absolves him of his wrongs and gives him the life he longs for. This also illustrates just how much John craves a peaceful life. Great song.

Paper Doll

This song is about Taylor Swift, and is a response to “Dear John”. I am not willing to voluntarily listen to Taylor Swift so I’m going to let you figure this one out. :)

Call Me The Breeze

This is a cover of a song by J.J. Cale in 1971! It’s a stellar song about this sort of unfettered, detached, nomadic life that doesn’t allow for any comeuppance or drama. I highly recommend looking up the original, and other versions! It’s been done by a few artists and it’s just overall a great song (Although I think John’s solo at the end is the best). I see this as John sharing the feeling he has inside and placing it in this album to represent how he sees himself and wishes to be. It’s an interesting thread that will be picked back up later on!

Who You Love

It’s a sweet song about falling in love with someone and how those feelings of love can make you see good in the person you’re in love with. I’m not sure that I agree with the message overall but I think it’s nice and has some real Mayer-y cute lyrics. Katy Perry is also featured on the song and does a great job!

I Will Be Found (Lost At Sea)

I love the way this song enters the track list as this heartfelt, mournful song about having lost your way and feeling like life and circumstances are all so colossal around you. It’s about feeling like you’re all by yourself in something almost infinitely bigger than yourself, but in the midst of the depths, finding a hope that you will be found and you will find your way back to where you need to be. When I start to think about what this song really means, it makes me feel a bit emotional because I think that it’s something we can all eventually relate to. Our own decisions and circumstances can make us feel like we are so far gone without hope of finding our way back, but this serves as a reminder that no matter how much bigger than you the problem is, there is always a way back home. You can always make it out, and you will be found.

Wildfire (Interlude)

I don’t have much to say, I’ve never particularly liked this track and I typically skip it.

You’re No One ‘Til Someone Lets You Down

This is a real cute lil song about the beauty of being crestfallen, heartbroken, and let down. “There’s so much to adore in a heart that is blue” effectively functions as the thesis of this song. This principle is presented in a quaint and fun way, and I really like this one!

Badge And Gun

I think this is my most listened to song on the whole album. What a vibe. There are so many lyrics and ideas here that I really feel and relate to. This song talks about this feeling of needing to leave on your own, find your way, and find the peace that’s awaiting you through self reliance. Everything about this song clicks together so perfectly, down to the hoof clopping sound during the interlude. I love this song. “Good as you’ve always been to me, the life I need to lead, is callin’ somewhere out there over those hills”

On The Way Home

In the same way that the first track, Wildfire, so perfectly paints a picture of the start of Summer, this song perfectly paints a picture of the end of Summer. Acting as a fitting bookend to this Summer-centric album, this song talks about the fleeting feeling of life and encourages the listener to keep their chin up and remember what things make life worth living. It’s a perfect closer with great melodies, and catchy phrasing.

Paradise Valley is a great marker to chronicle John’s journey but it does leave a bit to be desired.

The songs that hit do land very well, but I think in the midst of telling his story, John ends up running into some songs that serve more of a personal purpose than a listener purpose. As a record of John’s personal progress, this album performs quite well. But is that really what will keep you interested and engaged in the music? I suppose that’s up to you. The standout to me will always be the songs that hit close to home and give me something to connect to, challenge myself on, and grow from. That factor is there, but seems a bit more supplementary than I’d like it to be. I feel a bit lost in the weeds at times, but true to form, John will bring things back on track. Paradise Valley is placed in this middle period of John redefining himself, while not entirely moving on from where he was as of Born & Raised. At times it feels like more like housework than something truly compelling. As much as I enjoy both of these albums, this one thankfully closes out the Americana era of John’s music, and the best is yet to come.

Personal Rating

This record isn’t my favorite, and as time has gone on, I’ve grown warmer and warmer feelings about it. I think a big part of that has been the introspection that causes me to connect and relate to the sentiments John expresses here. While I do think of this album as a part 2 to Born and Raised, the musical style here is performed quite well, and in a way that doesn’t feel identical to Born and Raised, granting it a unique identity in the discography.

It’s a solid album that’s great for a summer rotation, but it lacks the soulful punch that Born and Raised carries. I think it’s an apt follow-up to the ideas introduced in Born and Raised, but I wouldn’t quite say it tops them. I think I give this album a 7.5/10. I think the tracklist itself is decent but there are too many mid songs for me to rate it any higher than that.

Thanks for not reading.