It’s almost inconceivable that Justin Bieber is just 25 years old. Love him or hate him, across the past 10 years his stratospheric rise from YouTube kid to global megastar has fundamentally changed contemporary pop music.
Scrutinised and exposed throughout his childhood and into young adulthood, his struggles with addiction and depression became tabloid fodder as his popularity continued to grow. On his fifth, and most mature, album 'Changes', he simultaneously attempts to redefine music trends and his own artistry.
A homage to his wife, the model Hailey Bieber, ‘Changes’ platforms Bieber serenading one woman, rather than crowds of women. He frequently sings about the satisfaction and pleasure that a life lived with integrity allows.
His bad lad image, commercial hooks and EDM production are absent, replaced by a capella moments, guitar solos and religious platitudes. In a way, ‘Changes’ signals the calm following the storm. After a life lived wildly, chained to the stage with a punishing schedule, Bieber has learned that happiness is not to be found in escapism, but rather in presence of mind.
Confirmation feels like the work of a man who is finally accepting of himself and excited for his future. There are no crashing crescendos, emotionally provocative moments, or dynamic instrumentals here. But that serene state presents its share of problems, too.
Although a pleasant listen, ‘Changes’ illuminates Bieber as somewhat one dimensional. It lacks the feeling of an epiphany, refusing to shed light on how the Canadian singer has achieved his enlightenment. Fans may begin to feel disconnected from the artist they grew up alongside.
He is so desperate to separate himself from his previous work that this new material falls flat by failing to explore anything other than his current marital bliss. While his ex Selena Gomez continues to gain popularity with the transparency of her music, which sings with clarity and honesty, Bieber spotlights himself purely as the perfect husband.
Also, similarities to slow jam chart giants Khalid and Post Malone (who provides guest vocals on Forever alongside Clever) on this new material feel somewhat contrived. Is this Bieber growing or just a stage in his campaign, making moves towards becoming the man the world wants him to be?
Justin Bieber Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu May 14 2020 - SEATTLE Washington - CenturyLink Field (USA)
Sun May 17 2020 - PORTLAND Oregon - Moda Center at the Rose Quarter (USA)
Tue May 19 2020 - SACRAMENTO California - Golden 1 Center (USA)
Fri May 22 2020 - SANTA CLARA California - Levi's Stadium (USA)
Tue May 26 2020 - SAN DIEGO California - Pechanga Arena (USA)
Fri May 29 2020 - PASADENA California - Rose Bowl (USA)
Tue June 02 2020 - LAS VEGAS Nevada - T-Mobile Arena (USA)
Fri June 05 2020 - GLENDALE Arizona - State Farm Stadium (USA)
Tue June 09 2020 - SALT LAKE CITY Utah - Vivint Smart Home Arena (USA)
Sat June 13 2020 - DENVER Colorado - Empower Field At Mile High (USA)
Tue June 16 2020 - LINCOLN Nebraska - Pinnacle Bank Arena (USA)
Fri June 19 2020 - CHICAGO Illinois - Soldier Field Stadium (USA)
Sun June 21 2020 - MINNEAPOLIS Minnesota - Target Center (USA)
Wed June 24 2020 - MILWAUKEE Wisconsin - American Family Insurance Amphitheater (USA)
Sat June 27 2020 - ARLINGTON Texas - AT&T Stadium (USA)
Tue June 30 2020 - NEW ORLEANS Louisiana - Smoothie King Center (USA)
Thu July 02 2020 - HOUSTON Texas - NRG Stadium (USA)
Mon July 06 2020 - KANSAS CITY Missouri - Sprint Center (USA)
Wed July 08 2020 - TULSA Oklahoma - BOK Center (USA)
Sat July 11 2020 - NASHVILLE Tennessee - Nissan Stadium (USA)
Mon July 13 2020 - ST LOUIS Missouri - Enterprise Center (USA)
Wed July 15 2020 - NORTH LITTLE ROCK Arkansas - Simmons Bank Arena (USA)
Sat July 18 2020 - ATLANTA Georgia - Mercedes-Benz Stadium (USA)
Tue July 21 2020 - MIAMI Florida - AmericanAirlines Arena (USA)
Sat July 25 2020 - TAMPA Florida - Raymond James Stadium (USA)
Mon July 27 2020 - COLUMBIA South Carolina - Colonial Life Arena (USA)
Wed July 29 2020 - GREENSBORO North Carolina - Greensboro Coliseum At Greensboro Coliseum Complex (USA)
Sat August 01 2020 - PHILADELPHIA Pennsylvania - Lincoln Financial Field (USA)
Tue August 04 2020 - PITTSBURGH Pennsylvania - PPG Paints Arena (USA)
Thu August 06 2020 - UNIVERSITY PARK Pennsylvania - Bryce Jordan Center (USA)
Sat August 08 2020 - COLUMBUS Ohio - Ohio Stadium (USA)
Wed August 12 2020 - LOUISVILLE Kentucky - KFC Yum! Center (USA)
Fri August 14 2020 - CLEVELAND Ohio - FirstEnergy Stadium (USA)
Sun August 16 2020 - GRAND RAPIDS Michigan - Van Andel Arena (USA)
Tue August 18 2020 - LEXINGTON Kentucky - Rupp Arena (USA)
Fri August 21 2020 - LANDOVER Maryland - FedExField (USA)
Mon August 24 2020 - BUFFALO New York - Keybank Center (USA)
Wed August 26 2020 - ALBANY New York - Times Union Center (USA)
Sat August 29 2020 - DETROIT Michigan - Ford Field (USA)
Tue September 01 2020 - OTTAWA Ontario - Canadian Tire Centre (Canada)
Thu September 03 2020 - QUEBEC CITY Quebec - Centre Videotron (Canada)
Thu September 10 2020 - TORONTO Ontario - Rogers Centre (Canada)
Mon September 14 2020 - MONTREAL Quebec - Centre Bell (Canada)
Thu September 17 2020 - FOXBOROUGH Massachusetts - Gillette Stadium (USA)
Sat September 26 2020 - EAST RUTHERFORD New Jersey - MetLife Stadium (USA)
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