Paul McCartney tried his hand at jazz and pop standards on 2012’s Kisses on the Bottom, but the former Beatle is reportedly ditching the Great American Songbook for his next album and incorporating more, ahem, modern influences — specifically the rhythms of moombahton and the studio wizadry of Usher.

According to Mark Ronson, who recently confirmed that he produced three songs for McCartney’s upcoming full-length, Sir Paul cited some unexpected inspirations during recording sessions.

“He came in one day playing some post-Bonde do Role baile funk-moombahton thing, asking, ‘How do we get this kind of energy?'” Ronson told Rolling Stone. “And then he played me ‘Climax’ by Usher, and he was like, ‘I love where all the sonics sit in this.'” Praise from Paul McCartney — yet another way “Climax” keeps peaking.

These trendy touchstones sound a few generations removed from “classic Paul,” which is how producer Ethan Johns described his studio time with Macca last fall. “We’ve done two sessions already and the third is in a few weeks,” Johns told the NME. “It’s sounding great. He’s still one of the most extraordinary recording talents. There’s a song on the record called ‘Hosanna’ which is absolutely heartbreaking — just Paul and an acoustic guitar. It’s gorgeous.” Johns clarified that he wasn’t sure if his work with the Wings man would end up on a Kisses on the Bottom follow-up “or something else entirely,” saying, “I’m not sure what it is.”

Aside from his headlining slot at Bonnaroo, McCartney has several live shows scheduled in North America, South America, and Europe.

Paul McCartney’s 2013 tour dates:

May 4 – Belo Horizonte, Brazil @ Mineirao Stadium

May 6 – Goiania, Brazil @ Serra Dourada Stadium

May 9 – Fortaleza, Brazil @ Castelao Stadium

May 18 – Orlando, FL @ Amway Center

May 22 – Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center

May 26 – Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum

May 29 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center

June 13-16 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

June 22 – Warsaw, Poland @ National Stadium

June 25 – Verona, Italy @ Roman Amphitheatre

June 27 – Vienna, Austria @ Happel Stadium

July 9 – Boston, MA @ Fenway Park

July 12 – Washington, D.C. @ Nationals Park

July 19 – Seattle, WA @ Safeco Field