As the eighth most-listened to artist on Spotify, justin bieber is a global force in modern-day popular music. His genre-melding artistry, tenor vocal range and sweeping, soulful ballads have enthralled young fans and grown-ups alike. In recent months, however, the singer has struggled to maintain a sense of stability in his life, with his relationship with Hailey Baldwin and his career taking a beating. The last two episodes of his recently debuted 10-part YouTube docuseries, Seasons, delved into these struggles.
Bieber, who grew up in suburban Canada, was discovered after his mother began posting videos of him singing on YouTube. The clips gained a following, eventually catching the attention of talent agent Scooter Braun. After an impromptu audition with Usher, the young singer was signed to a recording contract.
The success of his first few albums was immediate and explosive, with each successive release surpassing the previous one at the chart top. But his celebrity often overshadowed his music, and his relationships with other pop stars (including Selena Gomez) and skirmishes with the law earned him considerable tabloid attention.
Amid all this, Bieber seemed to lose sight of his roots and purpose. He began to gravitate toward rap and r&b, which drew criticism from some fans, as well as from his manager.
Eventually, the pop star got back to his musical foundations and his voice, which he has always been known for. In 2021, he released his sixth studio album, Justice. “I’m just trying to put out something that’s true to me and my story,” he said at the time.
This new album, which was produced by Ryan Good of The 1975 and the Canadian singer BloodPop, seems to be exactly that. It’s an emotionally raw collection of songs that explores the pitfalls of fame and the struggle to find joy in life after enduring heartbreak and adversity.
The new album opens with a raw and vulnerable lyric: “I’ve been on a ride / A trip that I can’t take back.” It’s followed by a stripped-down performance of the song on an empty stage in front of a handful of fans.
In another video, Bieber takes a moment to embrace Billie Eilish after her performance at Coachella. The young musician appears overwhelmed and tearful, yet Bieber offers warmth and patience as he holds her until she can continue. This moment reflects the balance that Bieber is now trying to strike in his life: faith, marriage and a new album that overflows with appreciation for his audience.