Holding us over until his vocal chords gets back in tip-top shape, John Mayer released his new music video for his latest ditty, "Queen of California," the second single from his fifth studio album, "Born and Raised," which marks yet another change in Mayer's musical style, incorporating musical elements of folk and Americana that take influences from Bob Dylan, Neil Young, David Crosby and Graham Nash.The track, a mildly country vibe, is a bit folkier than his usual bluesy, jazzy style, harkening back to the AM radio sounds of the 1970s. "Queen of California" also references Joni Mitchell, is cut straight from the Laurel Canyon of the early 70s with its gentle, acoustic start, a loose, jammy veneer and honey-sweet harmonies. Describing the song as a "relieving breath of fresh air," Mayer told NPR that the tune is about "being able to have a hopeful vibe about something again.
Mayer worked with director Sam Jones in capturing a natural set, which appears to be one long continuous take in which the 34-year-old singer crooner enduring a variety of weather phenomenons and musical happenings as he makes his way from the cold northern region to greener pastures and a warmer SoCal climate, including the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and New York City's hustle and bustle. That is until he finally reunites with his band on the set of the music video for the song.
The blues rocker goes through his own westward expansion on this low-key video, which matches the laidback feel of the song, and he's never made a leisurely stroll through scenery look more poignant, let alone visually arresting. Mayer is still trying to recover from a vocal injury that has forced him to take an indefinite hiatus from live performances. According to the singer's Tumblr blog, he is going in for surgery at the end of August. He adds, "but I'm excited to get back to it next year."
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