John Mayer has launched his own record label, Sob Rock Records, in partnership with Universal Music Group‘s Mercury Records.
The label shares its name with Sob Rock, Mayer’s last album with Sony Music‘s Columbia Records, released in 2021.
Mayer’s new single, Tom And Jerry, arrived on streaming services at midnight ET on Friday (October 23).
It is his first new solo release since Sob Rock, according to Mercury.
The partnership was announced on Thursday (October 22).
The announcement did not disclose financial terms, or how the partnership with Mercury is structured.
The label said the deal brings “one of music’s most iconic artists” to Mercury‘s roster.
“Working with Tyler Arnold and the talented team at Mercury Records has already proven to be a great partnership,” said Mayer. “The path from creative vision to execution has never been easier or more rewarding.
“Working with Tyler Arnold and the talented team at Mercury Records has already proven to be a great partnership.”
John Mayer, Sob Rock Records
“I feel very inspired, and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
Tyler Arnold, Chairman and CEO of Mercury Records, said: “John Mayer is one of the greatest artists of all time, and I couldn’t be prouder to welcome him to Mercury Records.
“We’re excited to be part of his next chapter and to partner with his label, Sob Rock Records, to help bring his creative vision to life.”
Tom And Jerry was produced by Blake Slatkin and Mayer, and mixed by Serban Ghenea.
The track premiered on Mayer’s SiriusXM channel, LIFE with John Mayer, on Thursday, ahead of its wider release.
It was recorded at Chaplin Studios in Hollywood.
In January, Mayer and filmmaker McG announced that they had completed their purchase of the property, previously known as The Jim Henson Company Lot, and renamed it Chaplin Studios.
“John Mayer is one of the greatest artists of all time, and I couldn’t be prouder to welcome him to Mercury Records.”
Tyler Arnold
Mayer announced his exit from Columbia in an Instagram post on March 4, 2022.
“After 21 years, eight studio albums, and some wonderful personal and creative relationships, I have decided not to renew my recording agreement with Columbia Records,” Mayer wrote at the time.
Sob Rock had debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 following its release in July 2021.
Mayer won all seven of his Grammy Awards during his time at Columbia, including Song Of The Year for Daughters.
Arnold and Ben Adelson relaunched Mercury, which was founded in 1945, in 2022.
The pair were promoted to Chairman and CEO, and President and COO, respectively, in March 2025.
Mercury’s roster includes Post Malone, Noah Kahan, Bo Burnham, Marshmello, and Zayn, according to the label.
It also works with Morgan Wallen through a partnership with Big Loud Records.
Mercury was one of the UMG labels, alongside Def Jam, Island, and Republic, that were restructured around a “central operational hub” called Republic Corps in March 2024.
Arnold has previously cited Mayer as a personal influence.
In an interview for MBW‘s Key Songs In The Life Of… series, published in August, he picked Mayer’s Stop This Train, from the 2006 album Continuum.
“I think this is one of the greatest albums ever made, top to bottom,” Arnold said of Continuum. “John Mayer grew up in Connecticut too and has always been a huge influence of mine.”
Arnold told MBW that the album was “the soundtrack” to his first music industry internship, in Los Angeles, at the age of 18.
Mayer’s return to recording comes ahead of his first residency at Sphere in Las Vegas under his own name.
The run was announced in September with six dates, and has since been extended to 21 shows between April 8 and June 12, 2027.
Each concert will feature a solo set, a full-band set, and a set from the John Mayer Trio.Music Business Worldwide
