| 30 June - 06 July , 2012 |
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 JUKEBOX
Believe
Justin Bieber
Marking his progression from screaming-kids-in-tow starlet to something close to a pop god, Justin Bieber's new album not only finds him becoming an artist for adults on his own terms, but showcasing impressively distinctive tones and translating an innate charisma across many styles. Believe is glitzier than his debut, My World(s), but Bieber doesn't leave his faithful audience behind in pursuit of a broader fan-base. There are still returns to his years of tween appeal, notably on Be Alright, Fall and the title track. But throughout, this album presents proof that expensive-sounding songs don't need to be about material things, regardless of how much Bieber wants to scream that he's an adult now. Despite the array of impressive guest contributors – Nicki Minaj, Drake, Ludacris, Big Sean, Mike Posner, Diplo – Bieber is never overshadowed. It's fine that his vocal simpers on the verses of As Long As You Love Me, because the song's pulsating undercurrent propels it onto the dance-floor. Believe presents Bieber as an 18-year-old in love, rather than desperate for an audience to adore him. The way he gets introspective on the Babyface-produced Catching Feelings is a rare delight. Die in Your Arms' Michael Jackson sample is worth every penny, while One Love's space-age synths and defiant lack of fluff make it a total mega-hit. Believe doesn't take as many risks as it might, but it's not meant to be a big and bold collection. It's simply, elegantly, propelling Bieber into the next chapter of his career. And for an album whose aims are so remarkably graceful, Believe exceeds all expectations.
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