u/Carpool1289

Hey everyone,
Huge fan here — I think his talent as a songwriter and guitarist is undeniable, and his live shows are completely unrivaled.
That said, looking at his more recent pop/rock releases (like Sob Rock or The Search for Everything), I’ve been thinking about his studio writing style. Do you ever feel like he gets a bit too comfortable with standard, predictable song structures (verse-chorus-verse-chorus-guitar solo-final chorus)?
Because he’s such a virtuoso, it sometimes feels like the guitar solo is used as a guaranteed safety net to resolve a track, rather than taking structural risks, finding unexpected melodies, or pushing into new territory. While music critics have often been harsh on him over the years, I kind of get what they mean when they point out a lack of edge or experimentation on his studio records compared to his live energy.
Do you think the long wait for the next album is because he's trying to break out of these comfortable habits, or do you expect him to stick to his classic, polished pop/blues formula?
Curious to hear your thoughts, especially from longtime fans or guitarists!

Don't get me wrong, I listen to plenty of other artists and explore a lot of music, but John is honestly the only modern artist who blew my mind live.
His live performances set the bar so high that nothing else really hits the same spot. Five years without a new studio album feels like forever now.
Is anyone else feeling that drought? How are you keeping the hype alive while waiting?

Beautiful

I never tire of this song; it's incredible. Its structure, its melody, its melancholy… everything is perfect. I especially love the transition in the middle of the track that leads to that masterful finale. The guitar solo at the end, intense, raw, and full of emotion, is absolutely perfect.

And then John with his headband is perfect.