John Mayer Launches Sob Rock Records with Mercury Partnership

John Mayer has launched his own record label, Sob Rock Records, in partnership with Mercury Records. The label takes its name from his 2021 album of the same title.

The announcement arrived just days before the release of Mayer's first new single since Sob Rock. "Tom and Jerry" will premiere on Thursday on his Sirius XM channel, "Life With John Mayer," where it will play throughout the day. The track arrives at midnight on Friday. Blake Slatkin and Mayer produced it together.

Who plays on 'Tom and Jerry'?

Mayer has spent the past week teasing the song on Instagram. On Wednesday he shared its cover art and named the musicians on the session:

• Bassist Pino Palladino
• Drummer Aaron Sterling
• Percussionist Lenny Castro
• Organ player Larry Goldings

The track was recorded at Chaplin Recording Studio. Mayer also posted a snippet of himself singing along in the studio, a clip featuring a different lyric from the song, and an instrumental section.

In his caption, Mayer explained the song's unusual working title. "'Tom and Jerry' was the name I used when saving my first voice memo with this song idea. 'And if you ever come through, which I doubt you'll do, I'll run away with you,'" he wrote. "From that moment on, the adventure began in bringing that feeling to life."

He praised his collaborators at length. "I get to work with a group of incredibly talented and deeply dedicated artists who will stop at nothing until the sound comes into focus and becomes a picture," Mayer wrote. "I can't wait to tell you more about it, but first, it's important that you know who contributed to this track."

What does the label deal change?

The move gives Mayer a formal imprint for his future releases, with Mercury providing distribution and label support. Mercury Chairman and CEO Tyler Arnold welcomed the arrangement in a statement.

"John Mayer is one of the greatest artists of all time, and I couldn't be prouder to welcome him to Mercury Records," Arnold said. "We're excited to be part of his next chapter and to partner with his label, Sob Rock Records, to help bring his creative vision to life."

Mayer struck a similar tone about the partnership. "Working with Tyler Arnold and the talented team at Mercury Records has already proven to be a great partnership," Mayer said. "The path from creative vision to execution has never been easier or more rewarding. I feel very inspired, and I'm excited for what's to come."

The guitarist signed with Mercury himself after parting ways with Columbia in 2022, as Billboard notes.

A return to the Sphere in 2027

Mayer has also scheduled a return to the Sphere in Las Vegas. His April 2027 residency will feature three different sets: Mayer performing solo, Mayer with a full band, and a run of shows with the John Mayer Trio.

With a new label, a new single and a high-profile residency on the calendar, Mayer has now built the infrastructure to release music on his own terms for the first time in his two-decade major-label career.