In promotional interviews Mayer called his fourth album a side-step from Continuum, but describing it as "observations and a little bit of advice on relationships... kind of like a heartbreak handbook" doesn't seem too far from his core lyrical material. The slightly hubristic tunes also reference his breakup with Friends actress Jennifer Aniston. That may be the pop star's cross to bear but he's sure trying extra hard to win over people that roll their eyes at his brand of heart-weary, bluesy rock. Passion Pit shout-outs and YouTube clips about an ad-hoc recording process in a suburban L.A. house littered his blog.

As with the soul-influenced Continuum, Mayer is producing the new long-player himself, with longtime studio drummer, and John Mayer Trio bandmate, Steve Jordan co-producing. The third member of Mayer's trio, Pino Palladino, is playing bass. (You know there's going to be a ton of that.) Battles Studies includes a Fleetwood Mac-like duet with Taylor Swift and several George Harrison-influenced breakup cuts