Idk, for me I personally see him pretty similar to how he has always been.
I just think since a lot of us have been following him for so long its easier to pick out flaws, but everyone has flaws.
I think over time he has just become more open to certain things, I think he finally realized that he and Travis should not have to throw away blinks legacy just because of Tom. I also actually believe him and never thought he was intentionally lying when he said the music would be similar to self titled. I think he more meant the whole "Anything Goes thing" than the music actually sounding similar.
Although California (part 1) is down there with my lesser favorite blink Material, I am not one who personally thinks Mark has lost his song writing Edge.
Still a ton of great material on there...I love Home is Such A lonely Place and Left Alone...Kings of the Weekend is also amazing and I think is just as good as some of their hits.
Although I miss Tom's influence I actually really love Cali Deluxe, I think all the Deluxe songs are solid with my favorite being "Hey I'm Sorry"
I think this song along with 6/8 and Last Train home are just as good as a lot of plus 44 stuff.