An estimated 92% of us experience earworms. Despite the annoying times we can’t get a chorus or a hook of an overplayed pop song out of our heads, getting a really good earworm stuck can be one of the best things, ever. We here at Nerdist are dead set on bringing you those types of songs—even if only for the weekend. So shove this into your grey matter!
This week certainly wasn’t the time for my usual ska or punk predilections so most of the music I’ve listened to (other than Prince) has been classic R&B, funk and soul. In my recent musical travels through Pandora (I know, I use Pandora still. I’m pretty much a unicorn) I stumbled upon today’s artist and I’m terribly bummed I hadn’t been aware of him before. Should you ever be looking for music with a modern feel and lyrics mixed with the sounds of classic soul? Look no further than Mayer Hawthorne.
“Love Like That”
I am fairly ashamed of myself that I’m so late to the game in enjoying this artist but could not be happier to have found him. This track off his recently released Man About Town absolutely drills itself into your brain the moment you hear the chorus. I’ve mentioned this quality in songs before but listen to this while walking around your city or town and you’ll find yourself matching the beat in steps as if you’re in a music video.
“The Walk”
There’s a lot going on in this song that makes me love it. With the help of funky riff, the otherwise soul aspects of the song make it seem like a step back in time if not for the lyrics. The anachronistic line “From the moment that I met you I thought you were fine, so fine/But your shitty f****n’ attitude has got me changing my mind, yeah” catches you off guard as something you just wouldn’t expect to hear in this style of music. It’s like Hawthorne’s music is the result of a time traveling mix-up. And although a bit old-hat since this video came out 6 years after Mr. & Mrs. Smith, the visual metaphor of a rocky relationship being like an all out gun battle and brawl suits the song well.
Speaking of visual metaphors…
“Her Favorite Song”
Alright, so this song is great as well but come on, look at all the pups! It’s a fairly on-the-nose metaphor for the plight of the clubbing scene (LOOK AT THE PUPS!) and what people have to deal with. Casting the men at the bar as all sorts of literal dogs (LOOK AT THE PUPS!) might be the most accurate depiction of clubbing life I’ve ever seen. 
Also, I don’t think I touched on how you should totally look at all the pups!
Share your favorite Mayer Hawthorne tracks in the comments below and feel free to give me a hard time for only recently stumbling upon his music.
Images: Mayer Hawthorne
Blake Rodgers writes for Nerdist from Chicago, IL where he lives happily with his Guinness World Record for High Fives. Be his pal by following him on Twitter (@TheBlakeRodgers)
