John Mayer Launches New Record Label Sob Rock Records
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
John Mayer has launched Sob Rock Records in partnership with Mercury Records, part of Universal Music Group. The move gives him a label of his own as he prepares new music, marking a new phase after leaving Columbia Records in 2022.
Named after Mayer’s most recent album, the label was announced ahead of his single “Tom and Jerry”, due on 23 October. Mercury chairman and chief executive Tyler Arnold welcomed the partnership; the label’s roster includes Noah Kahan and Morgan Wallen. Mayer has said he is working on a new record and is due to begin a run of performances at Las Vegas’s Sphere in April next year.
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In short
- Mayer has launched Sob Rock Records with Mercury Records.
- His new single is due on 23 October.
- He is working on a new album and has Sphere dates next year.
How this story developed
- 54 minutes ago John Mayer has launched Sob Rock Records in partnership with Mercury Records, part of Universal Music Group.
- 1 hour ago John Mayer has launched Sob Rock Records in partnership with Mercury Records, part of Universal Music Group. The move gives him a label of his own as he prepares new music, marking a new phase after leaving Columbia Records in 2022.
Full account
John Mayer has launched Sob Rock Records, a new label formed in partnership with Mercury Records, part of Universal Music Group. The label takes its name from Mayer’s 2021 album. The announcement marks a new arrangement for the musician, who left Columbia Records in 2022 after releasing his albums there since the early part of his career.
Mayer said his work with Mercury chairman and chief executive Tyler Arnold and the label’s team had already been a strong partnership. He described the process of turning a creative idea into a finished release as easier and more rewarding, and said he felt inspired about the work ahead. Arnold called Mayer one of music’s leading artists and said Mercury was pleased to support his next chapter through the new label.
The launch comes as Mayer prepares to release “Tom and Jerry”, his first new single since Sob Rock. He is due to introduce the track on his SiriusXM channel, Life With John Mayer, before it becomes available at midnight. Mayer has also shared details of the recording: it was produced by Blake Slatkin and Mayer, and features bassist Pino Palladino, drummer Aaron Sterling, percussionist Lenny Castro and organist Larry Goldings.
Mayer has said he is devoting time to making his next record, after stepping back from public attention to focus on the studio. The reports also point to a busy period ahead: he is scheduled for a series of Sphere shows in Las Vegas in April 2027. One account describes the performances as a residency with solo, full-band and John Mayer Trio sets.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
The first report places more emphasis on the label partnership as a career shift, Mayer’s ongoing album work and his forthcoming Sphere dates. The second gives more detail about “Tom and Jerry”, including its collaborators, recording studio, preview on SiriusXM and Mayer’s social media teasers.
The first report says the single is due on 23 October; the second says it will be released at midnight after its Thursday preview, without specifying the year in the supplied text. The second also specifies that the Sphere run is in April 2027 and describes three different set-ups, details absent from the first report.
The first report says Mercury’s roster includes Noah Kahan and Morgan Wallen. The second instead focuses on Mayer’s move from Columbia to Mercury and does not mention those artists.
Explained simply
John Mayer is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who has released music through major record companies, including Columbia Records. In 2022, he left Columbia, and Sob Rock, his most recent album, gives its name to his new label.
Sob Rock Records is being set up with Mercury Records, which is part of Universal Music Group. A record label helps release and promote music; having one of his own gives Mayer a role in those decisions as he works on new material.