Rare Changes

Released in late 2020, Rare Changes represents a pivot for Mayer Hawthorne toward a more concise and tonally consistent sound. Following a series of singles released throughout 2019 and 2020, the album compiles these tracks into a cohesive narrative of transition and maturity. Sonically, it departs from the upbeat neo-soul of his debut, A Strange Arrangement, favoring the sophisticated, mid-tempo arrangements of 1970s West Coast AOR and private-press soul. The album was largely self-produced, showcasing Hawthorne's evolution as a multi-instrumentalist and engineer. Critics noted the album's brevity - clocking in at under 30 minutes - as a strength, highlighting its 'all killer, no filler' approach to songwriting. It solidified his position as a leader in the modern soul revival, blending the rhythmic sensibilities of hip-hop with the harmonic complexity of the Great American Songbook.