Bieber’s 8th studio album discusses complex topics concerning mental health and racism, with popping and locking mixed in.
Bieber is just one musical man, attempting to avenge racial injustice, advocate for mental health and showcase his love for his wife – like a superhero.
Bieber’s 8th studio album starts with his song “2 Much,” and in it, Martin Luther King Jr.’s voice drops the words, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Starting the album with MLK showcases his stance as an ally for the Black Lives Matter movement. His bold risks for advocacy are met with a lack of depth, but his “Belieber” charm makes up for the deficit.
Like a prophet, in June of 2020, Bieber posted via Instagram the statement, “I am inspired by black culture. I have benefited off of black culture… I am committed to using my platform from this day forward to learn, to speak up about racial injustice and systematic oppression, and to identify ways to be a part of much needed change.”
His album, “Justice,” is his attempt to make good on that promise, and from that standpoint, it is a success. Using MLK and black artists, he pens songs that fit perfectly into the pop world but lack profundity.
The 12th song on the album has taken the seat of Billboard’s #1 song this week. “Peaches,” featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon, is the epitome of the album.
Starting the song with the chorus, Bieber sings, “I got my peaches out in Georgia (Oh, yeah, s**t) / I get my weed from California (That’s that s**t) / I took my chick up to the North, yeah (Bad**sb**ch) / I get my light right from the source, year (Yeah, that’s it).”
Bieber’s “light” is a biblical allusion to God, his “source” of strength. Matched with the conversation about his wife, Hailey Bieber, as a “chick” and comments about where he gets his marijuana from leave margin for constructive criticism.
The pop-centric and straightforward lyrics are prefaced by “MLK Interlude,” a speech from Dr. King Jr about being willing to die for a cause. Bieber dances on the line of overstepping his means in the process. Titling the album “Justice” and using MLK quotes, meanwhile penning songs about chasing a woman, celebrating his wife, or discussing mental health. That said, the album is an example of a pop-star continuing to produce hits and being an ally amid a changing world.
Bieber is exploring his artistic abilities and reach within the album. Songs like “Holy” and “As I Am (feat. Khalid)” discuss notes of his Christian faith. Since his 2015 album, “Purpose” Bieber has been speaking more openly about said faith. In nearly every song of “Purpose” he discusses God and that relationship being the reason he is still alive. Having faced stardom at a young age and criticism, he once turned to women and substances to cope. “Purpose” showcased that he lost his will to live, and his faith saved him.
Bieber’s music stands to wedge the gap between the secular world and the Christian world and advocate for racial injustice in the meantime. It’s a tall order for the 27-year-old, and we have no choice but to applaud the effort and dance alongside him on the journey.
In expressing himself and using his platform, “Justice” is an infectiously catchy album. The title and opening make it seem like the songs’ lyrics would coincide with an in-depth understanding of race, faith, and mental health, but he is first and foremost a pop-star. His icon status as a musician takes precedence over topics, making music that plays well and interludes that force people to face real problems.
Stream “Justice” on any music platform.
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