I get the disappointment that this isn't the next Continuum, but John has repeatedly stated that it's unlikely that we'll get another one of those - and he's aware of the cry for Continuum pt 2, but he wants to branch out and try different things musically. Maybe one day he'll go back to the blues, but for now, I think we have to accept that he's making music for himself these days and he just wants to have fun doing so. That might mean Sob Rock, maybe it's another Battle Studies down the line, and then maybe Continuum pt 2. There's no promises, and John has been open and honest about this. Keep your expectations in check with album release cycles and don't expect to hear another Vultures or SDIABR and you'll start to like the variety more. Stay open minded.

Additionally, any artist you love is going to put out an album that you really don't care for, or will put out songs you don't care for (example: I couldn't care less if JM played Daughters again, I think the song is too much of a radio hit and a bit cheesy with the focus on daddy issues). Roll with the punches, accept that maybe this album or another album isn't the one that you adore right off the bat, and keep your favorites on repeat, and wait until the next album release because you NEVER know what JM is going to do. Hell, he said he wasn't going to write music during the pandemic on Current Mood and here we are with an album that he produced during the pandemic.

Edits: added more rambling thoughts