Rank: 3.5/5
Kiss the lovestruck teen-pop goodbye because Justin Bieber is back after a two-year hiatus, and though he doesn’t completely nail the album, at least he finally hit puberty.
Bieber’s latest album “Purpose” is his redemption story. He’s moved on from egging houses and urinating in public to making club anthems to redeem his tarnished image.
He took these two years to do more than just get a few mugshots and arrest warrants. He grew up. As for the Selena Gomez breakup, Bieber’s done some thinking on that too.
“Purpose” is an unlikely mix with love-lamenting tracks like “Sorry” and “Love Yourself” paired with songs begging listeners for forgiveness like “Life is Worth Living” and “Children.”
This album not only proves Bieber is coming of age but that he’s a worthy listen. Songs like “Company” and one of the singles, “Where Are Ü Now,” aren’t only fun and masterfully produced, they are thoughtful songs about love lost and unrequited.
Don’t worry-those innocent lyrical trappings Bieber was once famous for during his teen-pop phase are still on “Purpose.” He now sparingly uses clever lines, like in the track “Love Yourself,” Bieber disses his girl singing, “My mama don’t like you and she likes everyone.”
Hit us where it hurts, Biebs.
When Bieber slows down, he isn’t as convincing. He aims to prove his maturity with philosophical lyrics, but the songs are reaching. Sorry Biebs, but the half-done songs are much like your failed selfie app in 2013. It doesn’t work, and no one is buying it.
Paired with other EDM-influenced tracks, Bieber’s other seemingly mature songs pale in comparison. These ballads are a snooze-fest. It’s the biggest flaw of his redemption album — Bieber asks listeners to love him again.
These songs aren’t as genuine as the other upbeat tracks, but more importantly, fans should forgive Bieber on their own for his new music and not be coaxed into reconciliation with lame lyrics.
Still, let’s raise our glass to Bieber. Despite some shortcomings, he got the Bieliebers back.
REVIEW: Bieber’s ‘Purpose’ a mixture of good and pointless tracks
November 18, 2015
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