I’m not really obsessed with Jon McLaughlin (I’m a fan, not a fanatic), but I was happy to stumble upon the video for the singer-songwriter’s new single, “Beating My Heart,” while browsing Amazon earlier today.

After McLaughlin’s Enchanted evening at the Oscars, it looks like the piano man’s gotten a head-to-toe makeover. Gone is his previous mop of curly locks, replaced by a short modern cut. And there’s some serious guy-style going on; check out the fitted leather jacket. McLaughlin was mesmerizing at the keyboards before — musical talent is mad sexy — but wow. Be still, my beating heart (maybe that obsession begins now). Seeing is believing:

“Beating My Heart” is the lead single to Ok Now, due this October. McLaughlin has paired up with a few heavy-hitters on the album, including Tricky Stewart and The-Dream (Rihanna’s “Umbrella”), indicating a more mainstream pop/R&B direction. Right now, I’m really interested to hear “You Are The One I Love,” which McLaughlin says was inspired by tabloid-targets Amy Winehouse and hubby Blake Fielder-Civil: “I feel for them… Who’s to say any of our relationships are any less dysfunctional? I think it’s cool that they’re so madly in love.”

New haircut and clothing aside, McLaughlin still sounds like a grounded, humble Hoosier to me. Don’t we wish they all could be Midwestern boys?

Ok Now is available for pre-order. “Beating My Heart” is available now via Amazon and iTunes.