![]() ![]() It takes a shrewd pen to navigate love, faith and marriage. Lil Dicky’s verse on ‘ Running Over‘ is a standout, but only because it’s an early nomination for worst rap verse of the decade. After years establishing himself as hip-hop’s audio astronaut, Travis Scott is reduced to his simplest echo-y form on ‘ Second Emotion‘ by “Movin’ like the blitz (Blitz), crib like the Ritz (Like the Ritz)” without any production accentuating his presence. Also, nearly every feature melds into their song’s aesthetic, muting their effectiveness. Bieber is caught where he sees changes within himself, yet can’t translate it in his songs, leaving him in a lyrical dead zone with tepid production.Ĭhanges is star studded with features from the likes of Post Malone, Travis Scott and Summer Walker, yet they all fall into the same trap of discussing adult themes with PG-13 complexity. Craft a couple short verses, a punchy hook, maybe throw in a pre-chorus over Skrillex’s or Diplo’s production, and you can hit print on the money machine. So, when Bieber’s “shout-out to your mom and dad for makin’ you,” lands between ‘ Intentions’ predictable bubbling synths, it’s an unmasked groaner.īefore Changes Justin Bieber was singing pop songs, with paper thin lyrics and simple concepts. It’s clean but not cutting and ambient but not atmospheric. Changes is by the numbers, which makes for a good template, it just lacks texture. His vocal inflections are at home in the spaces Poo Bear’s production affords, it’s just that the spaces are sterile. ![]() Yet he fills it with superficial, and silly lyrics to “Light a match, get litty, babe.” R&B requires deft or visceral songwriting and Bieber has neither. It’s an open concept for Bieber’s musings. There’s little doubt that Bieber loves his wife (there’s 17 songs and 52 minutes to attest to that), it’s all he shows.Ĭhanges’ production is shiny but it’s also demure R&B with splayed ambiance, sparse 808’s and bouncy synths. And like any relationship there are complexities that form over years that can only be seen through glimpses from the outside, Bieber just can’t provide a lens. Changes is where Bieber finally takes the plunge.Ĭhanges is dedicated to Bieber’s wife and their relationship. Bieber, who’s dipped his toes in R&B in previous works was always a prisoner of the moment falling back to his pop roots. He’s also made a musical change in that time. It’s been 5 years since his EDM propelled romp Purpose and in that time he remixed Despacito, broke up with Selena Gomez, grew an interesting moustache, married Haley Baldwin and contracted Lyme disease. Relationships, careers, environment and music change at a rapid pace in the 21st century. ![]()
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