When Justin Bieber was a preteen squealing out covers on YouTube, few imagined that he’d be an international superstar, raking in millions of dollars for every performance and selling more than 150 million albums. He’s also starred in three documentary-style movies, a clothing line and, of course, has a very public relationship with model Hailey Baldwin.
That’s a lot of adoration, and, at times, anxiety. The Bieber of today is a man who’s trying to figure out how to navigate the shifting ecosystem that has shaped his life as a pop star since he was 12. Then, it was all about keeping up with the Kardashians and making sure he had enough bodyguards to keep the hordes at bay; now, it’s about staying out of trouble and remaining faithful to wife and daughter.
And while that’s an admirable goal, it also means avoiding the kind of public pitfalls that have left many other famous people bruised and battered. It takes a strong person to resist the pull of the fame machine, even when that person is a good-hearted young man.
On Changes, the singer finally stakes his claim, honing a vocal approach that’s soothing and tender although maybe slightly tentative, a middle ground between comfort and reluctance. He’s also able to turn inward, showing how his experiences in the spotlight have informed his perspectives on adulthood and relationships. That’s evident on “Children,” a club-ready call to make the world better, and the piano-accompanied prayer of the title track.
The album also makes the most of its own idiosyncrasies, embracing a variety of sounds and genres that give it texture and shape. That range includes the bubbly pop of “What Do You Mean?” and the loping synth-pop of “Sorry,” which contrasts Bieber’s frustrated crooning with heaven-sent, looped cries. And the slithery guitar quasi-ballads of “Yummy” and “Running Over” show how versatile his voice can be when it’s not being used as a glittery applique.
The result is an album that’s surprisingly mature, especially for someone who’s been in the hungry maw of tabloid hysteria and teen-pop obsession for so long. But it’s an effective one, a record that signals that when the Bieber of today isn’t being dragged through the media maw, he can still be an effective singer and entertainer. He just has to make sure he’s the kind of solid guy he needs to be for himself. And, judging by the way he treats his wife and daughter, he seems well on his way to that end.