John Mayer Shows Us A New Light

John Mayer has been a reliable hit maker since the aughts churning out reliable tunes like "Your Body Is A Wonderland" "Daughters" and now "New Light" a song bathed in sunlight through John's voice and some supreme guitar licks at the bridge that are smoky like the pipes John's been using to great effect. If you want some smile moments the video should fill your quota for the day, month, year, and even decade. You see these delicious backdrops ranging from a goldfish bowl to a baseball game to mountain tops. John's sensual stare seals the deal. You get the feeling there's an intimate relationship at work here between listener and player. Kind of a bedroom pillow talk aesthetic. He has the peppiness angle down to a science. It is truly one of his better efforts from a composition standpoint. It's full of sweetness and light that should sustain you for days. John certainly has a bluesy soul inside of him and it comes out beautifully here. From note one he's an engaging figure and captures his audience perfectly. He's got plenty of rooting value in spades. You want to see him succeed. "New Light" from his "Snack Money" LP gives him the leverage to do just that. https://youtu.be/mQ055hHdxbE

Panic! at the Disco Has Reason To Be Hopeful

Panic! At The Disco comes on with flourishes aplenty throughout "High Hopes". The song is the act's breeziest to date, as the video showing vocalist Brandon Urie scaling a skyscraper should attest. Every facet bubbles with gusto. Brandon Urie is pretty much the one man band at this juncture and he sells it big time. Compared to past efforts "High Hopes" promotes sunshine to the nth degree, as if the nuts and bolts were constructed during an outdoor barbecue. It's that open air. Still Panic! stays true to its playful roots. The lyrics speak to not waiting to ask permission to chase a dream. Just do it as the Nike! ad says. Having a vision is crucial to pursuing one's dream in Brandon's eyes and that makes for a poignant part of the overall songcraft. Mama insisted on rewritten history resulting in cemented legacies. Having high hopes for a living is a tough sell but Brandon pulls off the fantasy with brio. Returning to the video, how much sweat fell from Brandon's brow during filming do you suppose? However Brandon seems to be enjoying himself full throttle as the smile on his face would indicate. Overall "High Hopes" hits the high points of Panic!'s talent.