MUSIC CH▲SER: A New Sound for Justin Bieber?

MUSIC CH▲SER is a weekly student blog written and updated by Hayden Sitomer ’13. The blog will cover popular, contemporary music by artists such as Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Kanye West, B.O.B, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Florence + The Machine, Adele, Shakira, Flo Rida, Justin Bieber, Usher, P!nk, One Direction, Jessie J, and more. Check the blog for reviews on the newest and hottest songs, music videos, and albums!
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Justin Bieber’s newest single is unlike anything he has put out before. When juxtaposed with his earlier singles, Boyfriend leans more towards hip-hop and electronic genres, as opposed to the bubbly pop hooks Bieber is known for. Multiple fifteen second sound bites posted online this week have added to the anticipation surrounding the release of the first single off of his new album, Believe, which is set to be released later this year. Mike Posner, a popular hip hop artist who cowrote Boyfriend, stated that this single is just a taste of Bieber’s new mature sound that listeners will be exposed to on his new album. Posner explained:

I think people have been waiting [for] when he’s going to turn that corner, and the time is now. Believe isn’t going to change just Bieber’s career, but all of pop music. He’s kind of bringing soul back, and rhythm and blues back and definitely hip-hop into his music.

Personally, I think it’s a smart move in his career to explore new genres, and, although I am not sure if he’ll be warmly welcomed to the hip-hop community any time soon, this change in musical direction will most likely be beneficial in expanding his fan base. One critique: Bieber over uses the word “swag” one too many times. Though his use of the slang term is an attempt mimic a common lyric in many popular hip hop songs, in Bieber’s case, it comes off as forced and a little out of place. It only highlights the cookie-cutter shallowness beneath his cheesy rap verses that tackily proclaim:

I am ‘ma a make you shine bright like you’re laying in the snow.

Based on projections by Billboard, Boyfriend is expected to be Justin Bieber’s “best sales week for a song to date in his career.”  His other singles that ranked on Billboard’s charts include “Baby” at #16 and “One Time” at #14, neither of which were able to break the top ten.

Within in hours of its release, Boyfriend is already #1 in over 30 countries. The success of this catchy song is projected to soar when it hits radio stations in the coming days.

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