Atlanta-based John Mayer's major label debut comes as something of a surprise. Off the back of singles "No Such Thing" and "Your Body is a Wonderland", you could be forgiven for writing him off as another also-ran in a market still looking for the next Jeff Buckley.

To do so would be a shame and a dis-service to your ears. The jazz-lite stylings of his guitar playing and vocals that reside somewhere between Dave Matthews and Sting draw you in, and you get the sense that he and an acoustic guitar would be as entertaining as a full band.

Buy it, if only to remind yourself that pop music wasn't always about manufactured bands. If Ryan Adams dooms us to an eternity of heartbreak and loneliness, then this is the guy who's going to make us feel good about being alive.