by Anna Squiers

After a five-year hiatus from music, Justin Bieber released his newest album, “Changes”, on February 14, a Valentine’s day return for the old heart-throb. Properly represented by the title, this album takes a grand detour from his previous albums and lifestyle. “Purpose”, his album released in 2015, highlights his playboy/rebel lifestyle, while “Changes” is a complete 180. Most every song on the album is on the topic of his wife, Hailey Bieber, and their life together as a newly married couple, highlighted with topics of their commitment to each other and their future. Other songs discuss his newfound faith in God and his commitment to religion. 

As a whole, the album is quite repetitive. Each song sounds like the last, with similar tempos, arrangements, styles, and topics for lyrics. The songs have an electronic sound with a mid-tempo beat throughout, and do not stray from this style. The lyrics to the 16 songs only focus on the same two topics: his wife and his faith. This makes the album quite monotonous and one-note. Not many songs on the album stick out or differentiate from each other, and without the lyrical and temporal ups and downs, the songs run together into one 51-minute song. No individual song is unbearable on its own, but it is difficult to listen to the album in its entirety because each of the songs are so similar.

Since the albums release, a few songs have become more popular than the others. “Yummy” was released as a single before the release of the album but has been added to “Changes”. The chorus is very catchy because it only repeats one word- yummy- which is probably why this song has been stuck in many people’s heads. In “Yummy,” Bieber talks about partying and spending money with his wife. The other most listened to songs are “Intentions” and “Forever.” “Intentions” (feat. Quavo) is, of course, about his wife, but specifically focuses on her perfections and how Bieber intends to shower her with love and affection. “Forever” (feat. Post Malone & Clever) asks his wife if she can see their future and if she will be with him forever. These songs are probably the best off the album, and listening to them will give the audience a feel for the rest of the album because so many of the songs follow the same recipe as the other. 

 Grade: C-