No, as far as I know, they're not shifting down. I think from what I have heard, the issue with the girls is that the jump from L8 to L9 was quite significant, so they've added a level in between. No comparable issue on the boys' side, so no need for a change. But as I mentioned above, I'm glad to see they changed the compulsory vaults!
I'm not sure I agree that mushroom's easier, though. The base routine is easier, to be sure. But the routine with all of the possible bonuses now includes both flare circles and a spindle. There wasn't a spindle in the 2008-12 L5 routine, was there? (It's kind of hilarious with our guys -- they were admonished sternly all last year NOT to spindle under any circumstances whatsover. "Wait, what? Spindling not bad?" Head explodes.)
Gymboymom, what level does it look like your guy will compete next year? Mine will be either L4 or L5, more likely L5.