Michael McDonald & Kenny Loggins to Guest on New Charlie Puth Album

Yacht rock icons join pop star on upcoming release "Whatever's Clever"

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:15pm

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Pop star Charlie Puth has revealed that legendary singers Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins will be featured guests on his upcoming album "Whatever's Clever". Puth, a self-proclaimed fan of the smooth, jazz-inflected "yacht rock" sound of the 1970s and 80s, reached out to the two iconic vocalists to collaborate on a new track for the record.

Why it matters

The collaboration brings together three generations of music stars, blending Puth's contemporary pop sensibilities with the timeless sound and vocal stylings of McDonald and Loggins, who helped define the yacht rock genre. Fans of both classic and modern pop/rock are eagerly anticipating the results of this intriguing musical pairing.

The details

In an Instagram video, Puth revealed that he "couldn't imagine" making a new album without having McDonald and Loggins appear on it. The three artists got together at Puth's home, with Loggins playing guitar, McDonald on keyboards, and both lending their distinctive vocals to the track. Puth was visibly moved by the experience of working with the yacht rock pioneers, stating that "hearing [McDonald's] voice makes me wanna cry."

  • Charlie Puth's album "Whatever's Clever" is due for release on March 27, 2026.

The players

Charlie Puth

A popular contemporary pop star known for hits like "See You Again" and "Attention".

Michael McDonald

A legendary singer-songwriter and member of the Doobie Brothers, known for his soulful vocals and contributions to the yacht rock genre.

Kenny Loggins

A renowned singer-songwriter who co-wrote several iconic yacht rock songs with Michael McDonald, including "What a Fool Believes".

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What they’re saying

“And I thought to myself, how am I gonna make a new album and not have Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins on it? The answer is, you can't.”

— Charlie Puth

“Hearing his voice makes me wanna cry.”

— Charlie Puth

What’s next

Fans will have to wait until the March 27, 2026 release of Charlie Puth's "Whatever's Clever" album to hear the full collaboration between the pop star and yacht rock icons Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins.

The takeaway

This unique intergenerational musical pairing showcases the enduring appeal of the smooth, sophisticated yacht rock sound, as well as Charlie Puth's reverence for the genre's legendary pioneers. The resulting track is sure to be a highlight for both longtime fans and new listeners alike.