‘Bieber Fever’ hits new high this summer with album
Posted on Jun 26, 2012 in Features
Bieber channels past pop stars in his “Boyfriend” video. IDOLATOR.COM/MCT Campus
Forget summer fever, it’s Bieber fever all over again! Justin Bieber has just released his third studio album and has every teenage girl wishing he was their ‘Boyfriend.’ Released on June 19, album “Believe” is predicted to sale between 400,000-500,000 copies its first week and debut at number one on the Hot 100. These numbers are beyond impressive and would earn him the biggest first week sales of 2012 thus far.
His album — which comes the week after his mentor, Usher’s seventh album — says a lot. Obviously Bieber’s younger fan base has been more supportive than Usher’s well established fan base this time around. One has to wonder how Usher is feeling right about now. One thing’s for sure. “Believe” deserves the success because it is a well produced project.
Led by the hit single, “Boyfriend,” the album covers new territory for the 18-year-old. Bieber has writing credits on almost every song on the record and that in itself should be applauded.
The album is contemporary R&B with unique flavors of pop intertwined. “Boyfriend” was the first single where the world got to hear Bieber rap. It has been well received with the song debuting on the Hot 100 at number two.
The video was reminiscent of NSYNC’s “Girlfriend” video, and it probably is not a coincidence. Bieber’s sound is very similar to the former NSYNC lead, Justin Timberlake. This album is justification of that with songs that quite literally could be sung by either artist.
Impressively, Bieber has solid feature artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj, Big Sean and Ludacris help him out. “All Around the World,” featuring Ludacris, is the album opener. It’s a dance track that almost doesn’t fit the sound of the album. It does go with the theme lyrically, however.
“Catching Feelings” is by far one of the best tracks on the album. Its soft melody embodies the warmth of a MJ classic. “Right Here,” featuring Drake, is a winner as well. The two artists’ voices mesh together in perfect harmony and make for an instant hit. It should be made into a single along with “Thought of You,” which just screams Top 40 hit. Songs like “Fall” and “Die in Your Arms” reminds you why Bieber was a sensation to begin with. His vocals are impeccable on many tracks and his growth is only making that more evident.
The deluxe version of the album includes some must-have’s as well. “Out of Town Girl” has to be a Timberlake song that was never released because it is the epitome of a Timberlake jam. Bieber’s very slick lyrically on this track with lines like: “I can be your passport, tell me where you wanna go.”
Bieber also is not afraid to tackle his real life issues on this record. The bonus track entitled “Maria” discusses the real life alleged paternity issues Bieber faced earlier this year with a girl named Mariah. The song is pretty much a 2012 version of MJ’s “Billy Jean,” which was based around similar issues.
“Love Me Like You Do” is an iTunes bonus track that slows things down with its sweet and melodic tones. Not every song is a winner on this record, and the voice enhancements on some tracks were a bit much. Overall, this album is a winner. “Believe” is a stepping stone for Bieber, and it deserves support from all the Beliebers and non-Beliebers out there because it is honestly that good.
Jamel Coles
Staff Writer
jcoles@uab.edu