Charlie Puth's new Yacht Rock album and Flea's jazzy trumpet debut reviewed

Daily Star's music guru reviews two of this week's biggest new album releases by Charlie Puth and Red Hot Chili Pepper bassist, Flea

06:17, 01 Apr 2026

Charlie Puth goes full Yacht rock on his latest LP, while Flea swaps bass for trumpet(Image: Ouzounova / SplashNews.com)

Roll up the sleeves on dads pastel coloured suit jacket and let Charli Puth's breezy tunes tantalise the frayed ends of your mullet like it's 1985 all over again on latest opus Whatevers Clever!

The hitmaker has followed John Mayer's example and dipped back into prime soft pop territory kicking off with uber smooth groovefest Changes.

Yacht rock royalty join him, Kenny G blowing righteous sax over daddy tribute Cry, while Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins shuffle and harmonise over Love In Exile.

The melodies are on point, but lyrically never more personal - mulling sibling rivalry (Hey Brother) and overcoming teen angst (New Jersey). So all thats left to do is crack open a can of Quatro and soak up the nostalgia on this solid *** LP.

Meanwhile Red Hot Chili Pepper Flea overcame imposter syndrome to make this solo debut, yes this is the same Red Hot Chili Pepper who once performed with just a sock to protect his modesty.

The fear arose from swapping bass for trumpet for jazzy set Honora, although he can still move those fingers faster than a gnats wings on the cinematic A Plea.

Hes no Miles Davis, but Flea successfully taps into an authentic late 60s club vibe, ensconced in the pocket during Traffic Lights with help from Thom Yorke.

Another pal George Clinton gets paid his dues with Flea's trumpet replacing Eddie Haels psychedelic guitar for a cover of Maggot Brain, then later Nick Cave lends his brooding baritone to a loungey Wichita Lineman.

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Go on, put a jazzy Flea in your ear. We give the legend *** and hope for more trumpet on future 'Chili Peppers records.

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