What makes Where Does This Door Go by Mayer Hawthorne notable?

The album debuted at number 17 on the Billboard 200 chart and received positive reviews from critics for its catchy hooks and polished sound. It showcased Hawthorne's evolution as an artist and helped to further popularize modern soul music within the mainstream. Released in 2013, Where Does This Door Go is Mayer Hawthorne's third studio album, following the critically acclaimed How Do You Do. At this point in his career, he was solidifying his identity as a contemporary soul artist while exploring a broader range of musical influences and production styles.

Who is Where Does This Door Go for?

Where Does This Door Go works well if you're into heartfelt narratives with smooth melodies, late-night reflective listening experience and playful yet introspective vibes.

How many songs are on Where Does This Door Go?

Where Does This Door Go has 15 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Where Does This Door Go

Mayer Hawthorne · 2013

56 min · 15 tracks · soul

A vibrant blend of retro soul and modern pop, infused with playful arrangements and heartfelt melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Her Favorite Song — This track encapsulates the album's playful spirit with its infectious beat and relatable lyrics about unrequited love, making it a standout single.
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Back Seat Lover — With its smooth grooves and romantic undertones, this song highlights Hawthorne's ability to weave classic soul elements into contemporary themes.
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The Only One — This track features lush instrumentation and a heartfelt vocal performance, showcasing Hawthorne's emotional depth and musical versatility.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends retro soul with modern pop, showcasing strong arrangements and engaging melodies.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the second half introduces slower ballads that shift the overall energy.
Several tracks incorporate brass and string arrangements, adding a rich texture that complements the vocal melodies.
The lyrics often explore themes of love and relationships, with a conversational tone that invites listener engagement.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

heartfelt narratives with smooth melodies
late-night reflective listening experience
playful yet introspective vibes
engaging sing-along moments
satisfying emotional resolutions

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced instant gratification
prefer standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2013, Where Does This Door Go is Mayer Hawthorne's third studio album, following the critically acclaimed How Do You Do. At this point in his career, he was solidifying his identity as a contemporary soul artist while exploring a broader range of musical influences and production styles.
Stylistic neighbors: Anderson .Paak· Leon Bridges· Charles Bradley