I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. I know that everyone is pretty inconvenienced by the transit strike that is plaguing us at the moment, and you certainly don't need my thoughts on the matter.

Instead of being another voice railing out against the system and the opposing parties, I figured I'd use your attention to share some more really good music; if we're all having to walk from place to place a little more for the next while, we might as well walk with something great to listen to.

So on that note, John Mayer's new record, Battle Studies, is nothing short of brilliant. Released on November 17, this marks the first disc of new material from Johnny in just over 38 months. Er, not that I was counting, it was totally a guess... it's probably not even right, not important. What is important, however, is that you know that the time was very well invested into producing quality music.

Now, I know that not everyone is into Mayer. Far be it for me to judge, because there's a lot of music that I don't like, either, but I want to ensure that in this case, a gifted artist isn't being ignored unjustly. Stylistically, the material on this new record is closer to his Heavier Things album than anything. That said, though, there is a definite growth (and even improvement) evident here in his ability to write and produce music - this new disc shines of a calibre that surpasses anything he's ever recorded in the past.

For example, All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye aptly demonstrates the sheer timeless quality evident on most every song on the album; it's reminiscent of a perfect movie moment carefully and flawlessly matched to music, except that the movie doesn't yet exist. The same could be said of Friends, Lovers, Or Nothing, a soulful song nostalgic of Hey Jude without overstepping its bounds.

The single most incredible track on the record, though, is Assassin; instrumentally, there hasn't come a song as unique and characteristic as this in a very long time, perhaps since Peter Gabriel released So in the 1980s. Additionally, the lyrics very cleverly blend metaphor and imagery and enable an immediate connection and response with the listener. This is mastery.

Top five songs: Assassin; All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye; Friends, Lovers, Or Nothing; Edge Of Desire; Who Says.

Twenty per cent that I would cut (two songs): Do You Know Me; War Of My Life.

If you're a fan, you're going to love Mayer's new record. If you're not, you may find this one changes your mind. Music is just like food, I think - you may not like everything you try, but you stand to like a lot if you're willing to try it. Either way, at least check out a couple of songs, and you'll see what I'm saying. I'm out of words.