For his next trick, Charlie Puth takes us for a ride back to the late 1980s. Maybe early 1990s.
Dropping at midnight, “Beat Yourself Up” is brassy, bass-y, catchy, and could’ve stepped right out of a time when the Detroit Pistons were beating everyone up in the NBA, and muscles ruled Hollywood.
“Beat Yourself Up” is housed by the singer and songwriter’s forthcoming studio album, Whatever’s Clever! (via Atlantic Records), due out on March 27.
The fresh cut “started as something I wanted to tell a friend,” the award-winning artist explains. “We’ve never been the heart-to-heart types, so I wrote it in a song instead,” he continues. “I wanted to tell him that even though he has made mistakes along the way, he shouldn’t be so hard on himself. That things will get better and he’s not alone.”
It’s the second track lifted from his forthcoming album, following “Changes,” which arrived last October, coupled with his baby news.
While writing “Beat Yourself Up,” he continues, “I soon realized this wasn’t just for my friend but myself and so many others who can be hard on themselves. It’s a message to keep going and be kinder to yourself.”
“Beat Yourself Up” was co-produced by Puth and BLOODPOP, and follows the announcement of his biggest world tour yet.
Puth’s Whatever’s Clever World Tour will span nearly 50 arena dates, kicking off April 22 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA. Produced by Live Nation, the North American leg will see Puth graces the stages of Madison Square Garden in New York City and Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, with support from Daniel Seavey and Lawrence on select shows and Ally Salort on all dates.
The trek will also visit the U.K. and Continental Europe during the summer, concluding on July 30 at Progresja Summer Stage in Warsaw, Poland.
Before all that, he’ll perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl LX, which kicks off Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco.
Whatever’s Clever! is Puth’s fourth album, and the followup to 2022’s Charlie, one of his three top 10 appearances on the Billboard 200 chart. Pre-order here and stream “Beat Yourself Up” below.
