One of the hardest-working individuals I've met since writing my column is actor, model, composer, and singer Rob Mayes. And while he gladly accepts various acting jobs as the opportunities arise, his heart is in music, and most often, country music.
And every once in a while, his worlds collide as he played a country singer in the Netflix hit movie, The Neon Highway and a pianist (where he really played) in the Hallmark movie, The Road Home For Christmas.
Now, on May 28th, Music Spotlight artist Rob Mayes released his newest EP, Can You Hear Me Now? It is a collection of six songs that represent a diverse range of styles that he finds interesting. Not only that, on April 11, Mayes will release a massive 26-song collection of previously released music called Weight 2 Lose, which primarily features country songs and essentially serves as a catalog of his music from the past two and a half years.
Mayes is a creative who rarely sits still. He calls himself a “one-man show” as he juggles songwriting, singing, auditioning, and acting. Last year, he did three movies and three guest spots on TV shows.
His EP, Can You Hear Me Now, is a collection of his newest songs. And while it is a bit wider in breadth in terms of genre than some of his previous releases, his goal is to capture “the magic in the room” as he writes new music.
Mayes took a risk With Can You Hear Me Now by creating an edgier side to his normally country-leaning sound. You can hear the angst and frustration in these songs that “push the boundaries.”
He stated, “It’s what I was feeling right now. That’s a big thing for me. Many of us don't feel seen or heard, especially in light of the current global situation. And I think it's a good reminder that we all exist. We all have worth. We got our own demons. But at the end of the day, it's like we're all human beings.”
Can You Hear Me Now starts with the hopeful, anthemic track, “Imagine That.” The song is about slowly taking a relationship, maintaining its innocence, and letting things progress naturally.
Mayes stated, “You don’t want to screw it up by jumping into something too soon. There’s beauty in that.”
Smith Curry is the producer of most of the songs on the EP, and the tight production makes this an upbeat, feel-good track that you'll want to put on repeat.
In my opinion, the edgiest song on the EP is “Gettin’ Pretty Good At,” a song that takes a personal look at Mayes. With elements of country, pop, and funk, the singer admits he’s getting pretty good at faking it.
Because he is both a singer and an actor, people feel like they know Mayes intimately, perhaps even more so than other artists. “There is this comfort because of that intimacy, which is great, and what you want. But then it's almost as if you know it's an open-door policy to pass judgment on anything we create, for better or worse,” he explained.
The words honestly state Gettin' pretty good at/ Lately bein’ complacent/ Way my soul's been weighin'/ and my faith in what keeps me down. It can be challenging when people think they know you when all they actually see are bits and pieces.
Whether you are talking to yourself or another person, “Lay It On Me” is about not letting resentments fester. If something isn't working, speak up and let it out.
He concurred, “People need to feel that there is someone in their life with whom they feel safe. A place they can go when they have something going on that they need to deal with.”
With its pop-sounding vibe, it reminds me of the 80s tunes I listened to as a teen. But the message is clear. We all need someone to confide in.
One of the more recognized songs that was released before the EP came out is “Pickin’ Up What I’m Putting Down.”
The song is about the ebb and flow of relationships. “It’s tough to talk about. Sometimes there's more of a spark, and sometimes it's just better. And sometimes it's just not as good.”
And just like when you are in an argument, and your voice can get elevated, on the second verse, Mayes lets his voice do the same thing as he asks, How did we ever get so sideways/ How did we go wrong/ something is different about these days/ Are you pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down? Although it is a problematic situation, Mayes' honesty is appealing.
If there ever was a theme song for Mayes’ current station in life, it’s the new song, “Wrestlin’ With Some Ideas.”
He explained, “Being in the public eye, you don't always want to be super honest about what you're going through. When I wrote that song, I kind of felt like a failure. And I tried to make sense of those thoughts. It was like a traffic jam with my brain. I just trusted the pen hitting the paper without going back to edit the song.”
We have all felt that way. We may not be songwriters, but we have certainly wrestled with ideas and life. And even though the song is raw and authentic to Mayes' story, the lyrics are relatable, as any good country song should be.
The title track, “Can You Hear Me Now,” is saved as the final song on the EP. Mayes and many other singer/songwriters in town are often busting their butt day in and day out wondering if what they doing it all for naught.
“A lot of the time, it feels like what we do falls on deaf ears. It’s nice to get recognition, but we create to share. And if the sharing doesn’t feel like it’s been received, it’s like punching air,” he confirmed.
He continued, “We don’t listen to what the other person is saying. We’re waiting for them to stop talking so we can talk again. Listening to each other is a lost art form.”
Can You Hear Me Now is one of the most honest collections of songs I have ever heard. They reflect what Rob Mayes was/is going through at a particular time in his life. We are fortunate that he put his words to paper and music to his words, bringing us this essential and entertaining body of work.
Be on the lookout for his record, Weight 2 Lose, coming on April 11th.
Follow Rob Mayes on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and all music streaming services.
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
