Welcome back, Mayer. After the disappointing How Do You Do, new track “Designer Drug” recaptures much of the energy, spontaneity, and tunefulness that made Mayer’s early records so much fun. The throwback touchstones are there; 70’s soul, 90’s hip hop, classic 80’s pop (& mostly accuratley Michael Jackson) but with “Designer Drug” Mr. Hawthorne doesn’t allow his influences and a bit of a self-consciousness about them shackle him to the safety of pastiche & trope.
Mayer Hawthorne 
(Official) (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Reviewed by b3
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