Within the span of two weeks, Justin Bieber blessed us with two new releases, Justice and Freedom EP Well three if you count the deluxe version of Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe). I’m going to start by saying that as much as I have tried over the years not to be I am, was (even when it wasn’t a cool thing to admit), and probably always will be a Justin Bieber fan. I have been truly ride or die since Purpose (2015), which is still one of my favorite Bieber albums to date. He’s been on his grown man shit ever since and I love it. On last year’s Grammy-nominated Changes (2020) he was in his R&B bag. This brings us to his latest releases Justice, which I describe as a pop/r&b crossover, and the Freedom Ep, which adds a gospel flavor into the pop/r&b hybrid mix.

As I previously stated I’m a huge fan and was looking forward to this album. Based on the title and the things I had heard about the album pre-release, and the Martin Luther King intro and interlude, the album was not quite what I was expecting. I guess I expecting something more socially conscious and this album is not that. There’s not one song dedicated to the state of the world (politically, socially, etc). Controversy about the King clips, which both Bieber and MLK’s daughter, Berniece A King, have both addressed aside, Justice is still a good albeit confusingly titled album, and the misplaced King interludes. Just Us would have probably been a better title since this seems to be more of a love letter to and for his wife Hailey, chronicling the growing pains within their relationship. Throughout he shows a vulnerability and humility that is not only rare but demonstrates his growth not only as a man but as an artist. I truly look forward to seeing Musically I’d describe it as a pop/r&b hybrid, which works well. I’ve read other reviews where the lack of a distinctive genre was a turn-off. I happen to think Bieber rides the pop/r&b hybrid wave quite well.

Justice features collabs with Khalid (As I Am); The Kid LAROI (Unstable); Chance The Rapper (Holy); Giveon & Daniel Caesar (Peaches); Dominic Fike (Die For You); BEAM (Love You Different); Burna Boy (Loved by You); benny blanco (Lonely); Lil Uzi Vert (There She Go); Jaden (I Can’t Be Myself); Quavo (Wish You Would); DaBaby (Know No Better); Tori Kelly (Name).

Popcorn Rating: 🍿🍿🍿🍿/5

Justice

Original Release

#Tracks -16 (original release) Play time: 45 min

Triple Chucks Deluxe

#Tracks 22 Play time: 1Hr 5min

Tracks On Repeat

• 2 Much

• Deserve You

• As I Am (Khalid)

• Holy

• Unstable (The Kid LAROI)

• Peaches

Let freedom ring…Sorry couldn’t help myself. Freedom is the surprise gospel-inspired EP released by Justin Bieber over Easter weekend. It features guest appearances from Tori Kelly, BEAM, Brandon Love, Chandler Moore, Pink Sweats, Judah Smith, and Lauren Walters.

Overall Rating 🍿🍿🍿🍿/5