Mayer Hawthorne – Her Favorite Song
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For his fourth solo album, postmodern pop crooner Mayer Hawthorne doesn’t entirely ditch the finger snapping, shoe-shuffling rhythms and clean-cut licks that made up the core of his previous throwback sound — he does, however, move the brackets in which they reside further afield. There’s still a very retrospective pop feel to the album, and his trademark neo-soul vibe is ever present, especially through his vocal style, but musically speaking, this album feels larger and more alive than its predecessors.
Taking more direct inspiration from the kind of music that initially inspired him to pick up the microphone, Hawthorne has adapted and evolved into a much more versatile artist. Expanding his stylistic wheelhouse to now include funk, contemporary R&B/pop and hip hop not only adds more weight to the record when compared to his previous offerings, but also results in an evident, ear-catching gloss. Infectious hooks, delicious grooves and beefy beats, combined with glistening string work and breezy melodies, are just a few of the key ingredients that make tracks like “Her Favorite Song”, “Crime” and the album’s title track snap to the forefront.
The light, bright and colorful overtones certainly make Where Does This Door Go? a likeable pop record, not to mention a wonderfully easygoing summer listen, but the songwriting that accompanies it adds even more depth. There’s a smart, mature streak behind the music that undoubtedly enhances the album’s appeal. Don’t get me wrong, Hawthorne isn’t plumbing the depths of mankind’s emotional scale or integrating truly profound statements with his funky, infectious grooves, but the kind of tongue-in-cheek humor that resonates through tracks like “Backseat Lover” and “Robot Love” definitely boosts the record’s re-playability factor.
Those who were firmly embedded in the singer’s retrospective style might not love the more contemporary sound presented here, but change will always divide opinions — there will always be those who prefer his more organic approach. For me, though, Hawthorne’s reboot has not only reinvigorated his presence, it’s seen him truly begin to build on the potential he’s always shown.
