John Mayer’s Tom and Jerry Introduces Sob Rock Records, Launched With Mercury

John Mayer’s new single, “Tom and Jerry,” was released on Oct. 23, 2026. Sunny 94.3 calls it his first new solo single in five years, and JamBase reports that it introduces Sob Rock Records, a label Mayer launched in partnership with Mercury Records.

Billboard Philippines reports that Mayer signed with Mercury on Oct. 22, and Music Business Worldwide says the partnership was announced that day. Sunny 94.3, Variety and Music Business Worldwide each place Mercury within Universal Music Group.

The Dates Behind the Signing and the Single

The signing and the single fall on consecutive days. Billboard Philippines reports the signing on Oct. 22, and FindArticles gives the same day for the Mercury signing and the Sob Rock Records launch. The single followed on Oct. 23.

Music Business Worldwide says the track was released at midnight ET on Oct. 23. JamBase published its report at 6:27 a.m. PDT that day, and it describes the song as the release that introduces the label. Variety reports that the track arrived at digital services at midnight, and that listeners to Mayer’s SiriusXM channel, Life With John Mayer, could hear a preview throughout the Thursday before.

Later coverage repeats the partnership. Sunny 94.3 reported it on Oct. 26, and a later Billboard Philippines report describes the same deal.

The Single’s Release
“Tom and Jerry” was released on Oct. 23, 2026, Mayer’s first new solo single in five years, according to Sunny 94.3.

Where the Label Name Comes From

Sob Rock Records takes its name from Sob Rock, Mayer’s 2021 album, according to Billboard Philippines and Music Business Worldwide. Music Business Worldwide reports that the album was released through Sony Music’s Columbia Records and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

Music Business Worldwide reports that Mayer announced his exit from Columbia in March 2022, after 21 years and eight studio albums, and that he won seven Grammys with the label. Sunny 94.3 also gives eight studio albums and says he spent more than two decades with the label before leaving it in 2022. Billboard Philippines reports that Mayer spent the past couple of years as co-frontman of Dead & Company.

FindArticles reports, citing Billboard, that in a 2022 Instagram post Mayer said he had decided not to renew his Columbia Records recording agreement. FindArticles also describes Sob Rock as Mayer’s final Columbia album. Coverage paraphrases the post, so this article does not quote it.

Variety reports that Mayer announced a parting of ways with Sony Music in 2022, without saying where he would go next. The Mercury partnership is the next label home reported in these sources.

Mercury’s Role in the Label

Tyler Arnold is Mercury’s chairman and CEO, according to Sunny 94.3, Variety and Music Business Worldwide. FindArticles reports, citing Billboard, that Arnold signed Mayer. Music Business Worldwide reports that Arnold and Ben Adelson relaunched Mercury in 2022 and were promoted in March 2025 to chairman and CEO and to president and COO, respectively.

Music Business Worldwide reports that Mercury was founded in 1945. According to the label, its roster includes Post Malone, Noah Kahan, Bo Burnham, Marshmello and Zayn, and the label works with Morgan Wallen through a partnership with Big Loud Records. In March 2024, Mercury was one of several UMG labels restructured under Republic Corps, according to the same report.

Arnold called Mayer “one of the greatest artists of all time” in the announcement, and said Mercury will partner with Mayer’s label to help bring his creative vision to life, according to Music Business Worldwide. The same report says Arnold has cited Mayer as a personal influence. Billboard Philippines quotes Mayer saying that working with Arnold and the Mercury team has “already proven to be a great partnership.” Mayer said the path from creative vision to execution has never been easier or more rewarding.

What Has Not Been Announced

Financial terms, ownership and distribution arrangements have not been announced. Music Business Worldwide says the announcement did not disclose how the partnership is structured or any financial terms. FindArticles says the reporting does not disclose ownership, financial terms or distribution mechanics.

The reporting also does not say whether Sob Rock Records will sign other artists. Sunny 94.3 reports that no title or release date has been announced for Mayer’s next full-length album, and Variety likewise reports that no album has been announced.

Billboard Philippines says Mayer signed with Mercury and describes Sob Rock Records as formed in partnership with it. Music Business Worldwide and Variety describe the label as operating in partnership with Mercury. None of the sources says whether Mercury distributes the label’s releases or holds a stake in it.

The label shares its name with Sob Rock, Mayer’s 2021 album.

Inside the Single and Its Credits

JamBase reports that Mayer co-wrote and co-produced “Tom and Jerry” with Blake Slatkin, and that the song was recorded at Chaplin Recording Studios in Hollywood. Variety reports that Mayer joined forces with director McG to purchase the Hollywood lot. Music Business Worldwide reports that in January the two announced they had completed their purchase of the former Jim Henson Company lot and renamed it Chaplin Studios.

JamBase lists Mayer on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards and synthesizer, and programming. Serban Ghenea mixed the track and Randy Merrill mastered it. Pino Palladino played bass, Aaron Sterling played drums and percussion, Lenny Castro added percussion and Larry Goldings played organ.

According to JamBase, Mayer began the song as a voice memo on his phone and saved the file under the name “Tom and Jerry.” The same report says Palladino has worked with Mayer for more than two decades and that Sterling played on several of his albums. JamBase also reports that Blake Slatkin shared the stage with Mayer and Palladino earlier this year when they backed Ed Sheeran on “Drive” during a Jimmy Kimmel Live appearance.

What the Launch Shows for Founders

The label shares its name with Sob Rock, Mayer’s 2021 album. Sob Rock debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

The announcement presents two roles. Mayer is described as launching the label, and Mercury is described as its partner. The reporting does not show how those roles are divided on paper.

Mayer’s live schedule is also public. Sunny 94.3 and Music Business Worldwide report a 21-show residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas from April 8 to June 12, 2027, with solo, full-band and John Mayer Trio sets. Music Business Worldwide says the run was announced in September with six dates and has since been extended to 21 shows; JamBase reports six Sphere shows in April 2027.

Because the terms have not been disclosed, outside readers cannot tell from the reporting how revenue, control or distribution are shared between the two companies.