“After three long years of waiting, John Mayer’s highly anticipated fourth album titled Battle Studies is being released today, Tuesday Nov. 17. Mayer has commented on numerous occasions that he considers this album his heartbreak handbook and it features 11 songs that offer painstakingly honest examination of the anatomy of heartbreak.”
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After three long years of waiting, John Mayer’s highly anticipated fourth album titled Battle Studies is being released today, Tuesday Nov. 17.

Mayer has commented on numerous occasions that he considers this album his heartbreak handbook and it features 11 songs that offer painstakingly honest examination of the anatomy of heartbreak.

Anyone who has been through a break-up knows that grief comes in quite few stages including anguish, anger and apathy. Mayer gives fans an in-depth look at all these mourning stages post break-up with Jennifer Aniston.

He confidently wears his heart on his sleeve and proves even rock stars are vulnerable as he keeps to the theme of love being a battle complete with militaristic song titles including Heartbreak Warfare, War of My Life and Assassin.

In the first track of the album Heartbreak Warfare Mayer crones in anguish about how he feels like there are Clouds of sulfur in the air / Bombs are falling everywhere, then continues to say push it in and twist the knife / again watch my face as I pretend to feel no pain.

Then Mayer transitions to being angry in All We Ever Do is Say Goodbye where he confesses Just when I had you off my head / your voice comes thrashing wildly through my quiet bed…why you wanna break my heart again?

Later on the album changes tempo to some more upbeat tracks like the hit single Who Says where Mayer gains a new sense of independence, but becomes apathetic about life.

He proudly publicizes that his newfound freedom gives him the right to get stoned and not remember the countless girls he had fooled around with on the rebound while singing Who says I can’t get stoned? / Call up a girl that I used to know / fake love for an hour or so…I don’t remember you looking any better / But then again I don’t remember you.

Also included on the album is a cover of Crossroads, a song originally by Robert Johnson and previously covered by Cream.

It is clearly not the best choice of song to just throw in the middle of the album as it does not really mesh well with the rest of the set, but fans may appreciate his added jazzy blues twist to this older classic.

Taylor Swift fans will enjoy her brief guest vocal appearance in the track Half of My Heart where she sings backup and exchanges a verse with Mayer.

While Mayer still demonstrates that he has soul, an incredible voice and some mad guitar skills in Battle Studies, the album is not for everyone.

It is an album unlike anything he has ever done with brutally honest lyrics that show his defenseless battle with love.

However, those who are looking for the lovey-dovey John Mayer need to switch out this CD for Room for Squares.

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