There comes a point, about half way through Justin Bieber’s sixth studio album Justice, where you might wonder what’s happening here. And strangely, it comes on the song that isn’t a song, MLK Interlude, which is instead an excerpt from a 1967 sermon given by Martin Luter King. “You died when you refused to stand up for right. You died when you refused to stand up for truth. You died when you refused to stand up for justice.” It’s incredibly powerful, but what’s it doing here, on an album from a pop star whose last album Changes was preceded by the single Yummy? A song so shallow it’s chorus went “Yeah, you got that yummy-yum / That yummy-yum, that yummy-yummy.”

Well, it seems that Bieber has decided to tackle some big themes on his new release, and has become quite the socially conscious artist. In a post on his Instagram account, he said: “In a time when there’s so much wrong with this broken planet we all crave healing and justice for humanity. In creating this album my goal is to make music that will provide comfort, to make songs that people can relate to and connect to so they feel less alone. Suffering, injustice and pain can leave people feeling helpless. Music is a great way of reminding each other that we aren’t alone.”

And there’s no way getting from the fact Justice feels like Bieber’s most honest and introspective record to date. He bares a lot more of himself here than you might expect, with tracks like the acoustic Off My Face (a sweet tribute to his wife), Ghost (a spirited dedication to loved ones who have passed away) and Unstable (which sensitively explores the star’s mental health problems that he’s discussed recently) showing a different angle to his songwriting.

There’s plenty of out-and-out pop belters, too. Die For You, featuring Dominic Fike, is a glorious 80s-influenced affair, while Deserve You shimmers with its slick beat and thumping drums. Bieber had some noble goals with this record, and while he remains a polarizing figure, his willingness to explore these issues should be applauded. That he’s done it on a record that sounds as good – or better – than anything else he’s put out so far is also worthy of real merit.

Justice tracklist:

1. 2 Much
2. Deserve You
3. As I Am
4. Off My Face
5. Holy
6. Unstable
7. MLK Interlude
8. Die For You
9. Hold On
10. Somebody
11. Ghost
12. Peaches
13. Love You Different
14. Loved By You
15. Anyone
16. Lonely

Watch the official video for Hold On here. 

Author: Joe Sharratt

Joe Sharratt is a writer and journalist based in the UK covering music, literature, sport, and travel.