Whether he’s belting the national anthem at this year’s Super Bowl or trending on TikTok for his minute-long music classes, Charlie Puth remains ever-present in American pop culture — and his latest album, “Whatever’s Clever!” is a charming addition to his acclaimed discography.
After spending his mid-20s dominating radio stations and shopping mall speakers, the 34-year-old singer-songwriter decided to start a family. Puth’s wife, Brooke Sansone, revealed her pregnancy in October 2025 through a music video for the first single, “Changes,” off of his new record. The couple welcomed their first child two weeks prior to the album’s release on March 27.
But rather than trading the spotlight for reading parenting manuals, Puth has grappled with his new role as a husband and father in the studio. Capitalizing on his perfect pitch and industry experience, “Whatever’s Clever!” is a manifesto of moral lessons and family values. Puth is no longer singing about failed relationships and casual sex — instead, the singer explores more seasoned concepts such as growing pains and familial love.
Despite some bland moments, the album offers many strong songs with inspiring lyrics and captivating pop sounds.
“Changes” launches Puth’s era of maturation from sleek heartbreak hits to vulnerable diaristic confessions. The opening track melds together upbeat drums, sparkling keys and an echoing chorus to construct a pleasant earworm.
The accompanying music video matches the track’s infectious energy. Wearing wired headphones plugged into a scratched cassette tape, Puth reflects on how quickly time has elapsed. He dances in a cartoonish landscape of saturated primary colors and imaginative claymation, singing, “Everything has changed and I don’t know why.”
The second track, “Beat Yourself Up,” is teeming with trumpets and tinted with nostalgia. Lyrically, it preaches forgiveness and self-love; sonically, it belongs on the soundtrack of an 80s coming-of-age movie. Though the song’s production is far from groundbreaking, it still manages to hook listeners with its simple, groovy percussion.
“Cry (feat. Kenny G)” is another heart-to-heart with a straightforward message, as Puth sings “You know everybody cries / Cry, cry,cry / It doesn’t matter, you don’t have to ever keep it all inside.” While the chorus would feel mellow on its own, Kenny G’s soprano saxophone solo resuscitates the song. The brass bridge is smooth and soulful, elevating the track from satisfactory to exceptional.
While “Beat Yourself Up” and “Cry (feat. Kenny G)” feel multidimensional, some of the album’s middle tracks like “Washed Up,” “Don’t Meet Your Heroes” and “Hey Brother” are generic to a fault. Despite having textured productions and air-tight choruses, the songs fall flat with their bland lyricism and strict adherence to a conventional pop formula.
Though barely over two minutes long, the fifth track, “New Jersey (feat. Ravyn Lenae),” offers a brief moment of respite amid some of the album’s boring moments. The duo disses Puth’s home state with a 90s-inspired instrumental characterized by warped bass and silvery synths.
The seventh track, “Home (feat. Hikaru Utada),” is a heartfelt ode to Puth’s wife. As Puth sings, “You’re the one who makes this house a home,” Utada echoes similar sentiments in Japanese. The pair’s vocal chemistry is palpable — a beautiful explosion of sound, longing and emotion.
But “Sideways (feat. Coco Jones)” is the crown jewel of the album. Puth revisits the sultry sounds typical of his earlier discography, and with the help of Jones, the pair creates a heavenly fusion of velvety vocals and moody strings. The song is perfectly paced, favoring slow verses, melodramatic pauses and long notes.
As Puth enters this new chapter of his life, his music is following suit and embracing this new era. “Whatever’s Clever!” is sure to hit close to home for new parents and doting family members alike.
Kendra Eastep is also a senior staff writer covering arts and culture.
