by: Sahil Muthukrishnan
Culture Editor

After a four-year drought, Grammy-nominated artist Charlie Puth released his new album Whatever’s Clever on Mar. 27. It’s his fourth studio album and his latest work since his 2022 project, Charlie. It embraces yacht rock and the general air of the 70s and 80s.

Whatever’s Clever opens with Changes, a classic Puth-style track. The ever-present snare drum that runs throughout the album, along with an air of preppiness, contributes to the song’s sense of nostalgia. The rose-tinted glasses draw listeners in and keep them hooked for the rest of the album’s hits. It’s almost reminiscent of Take Me Higher or another upbeat song that would thrive in the 80s or 90s. Changes is a strong opener, setting the tone for a phenomenal project.

Beat Yourself Up, the album’s second song, is sure to be a hit. The hook is infectious, and the mix of horns, playful bass, and piano meld together for an ideal aural experience. The elements combine perfectly with Puth’s soothing vocals and tasteful use of Melodine (a vocal editing software). The track continues its predecessor’s nostalgic qualities and whimsical nature. It’s easy to imagine it on the radio or in a fan’s midday lineup.

Puth’s third track, Cry, adopts a more somber tone. The song is noticeably slower than Beat Yourself Up and Changes, but it maintains similar instrumentation. The elegant saxophone solo in the middle of its run time cuts through the noise and reveals the song’s casual nature. It’s a welcome pivot from the project’s previous tracks while still feeling distinctly at home in the album’s lineup.

Washed Up, the record’s fourth entry, carries a relaxed vibe with layered harmonies and the album’s signature horns. Reminiscent of elevator music, it would fit in on a chill playlist or on the beach during a hot summer’s day.

New Jersey, Puth’s fifth song, calls back to his Jersey roots. The track features R&B singer Ravyn Lenae, with her smooth vocals and effortless style. The entry fits with the rest of the project, but it definitely feels a bit aimless, dragging on at times.

Track six, Don’t Meet Your Heroes, features a surprise orchestra, crisp harmonies, and Puth’s sultry vocals. It features more piano than the rest and carries relaxed jazz elements. It’s undoubtedly worth a listen, especially for fans of Puth’s use of layered vocals. The track’s lyrics have just enough potency to make the listener contemplate but not enough to distract them from Puth’s serenade.

Some of the record’s other standouts include: Sideways, Love in Exile, and Until It Happens to You. Sideways, which features Coco Jones, is reminiscent of Puth’s early hits like We Don’t Talk Anymore. Love in Exile is an upbeat love song featuring Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins.

Until It Happens to You, an optimistic hit about parenthood, features a surprise appearance by Jeff Goldblum and orchestral elements. All three shine in their own lights.

Whatever’s Clever is a noteworthy installment in Puth’s catalogue. Though it might occasionally come off as generic, it’s mostly a phenomenal experience and will likely see some of its songs become classics.

(Sources: AP)