On March 19, Canadian pop phenomenon Justin Bieber dropped his latest album Justice. Justice is Bieber’s sixth album and has tracks featuring many top artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Da Baby, and Khalid. The album immediately became a chart-topper, with songs such as “Peaches,” featuring fellow Canadian artist Daniel Caesar and American singer Given, reaching the number one spot on the US Billboard charts. On Instagram, Bieber wrote “in creating this album, my goal is to make music that will provide comfort,” especially in times of injustice and need for change on our planet. The album itself mainly focuses on and acts as an ode to Bieber’s marriage to model Hailey Baldwin, while intertwining themes of faith and worship in many of the tracks, showing a form of maturity evolving through his newer songs. Overall, the album brings a mix of both positive and negative reception. Junior Jane Higgins stated that “the songs in Justice weren’t as good as expected”.

Similar to Higgins, many listeners feel that Bieber is trying to step out of his comfort zone of generic pop-like music and incorporate different genres into his new album. However, many feel that he did not succeed in this range. For instance, the lead song of his album “Holy,” which features artist Chance the Rapper, displayed a gospel side of Bieber’s music, while the rest of the album remained within the constraints of pop music. On the contrary, others feel that this album is influential, meaningful, and shows listeners a new, unseen side of Bieber. Junior Sophia Maggio stated “I thought it was good. I found myself constantly streaming it even at the most unlikely times.”

So, for those who are interested in hearing a new side to Justin Bieber, or those who enjoy music with mild pop characteristics (similar to the Weeknd), this album is meant for you!

Sources Cited:

• Harris, Keith. “Justin Bieber Is a Serious Adult Who Really Likes His Wife on ‘Justice’.”
  Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2021, www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/justin-bieber-justice-1144656/.