Changes by Justin Bieber // 5 Year Anniversary Album Review
Changes is a beautiful representation of the new phase in Justin Bieber's life following a five-year hiatus from music. Released on Valentine's Day in 2020, this album largely serves as a musical ode to his wife, Hailey. Every single song serves as a profession of his love for her and their new life together in their first year of marriage. Their relationship is at the center of this entire album, as well as a glimpse into his life in the years following his previous release, Purpose, in 2015. It is a very honest and sweet reflection of the man he is and who he is working to become.
"As humans, we are imperfect," Justin said in an announcement video for his YouTube docuseries Seasons, which documented the creation of Changes. "My past, my mistakes, all the things that I've been through, I believe that I'm right where I'm supposed to be and God has me right where he wants me. I feel like this is different than the previous albums just because of where I'm at in my life."
Justin's return to music was highly anticipated for many years, especially following the tentative announcement of upcoming new work while making a surprise appearance during Ariana Grande's set at Coachella in 2019. That ended up being a formative experience that shaped much of the creation of Changes from that point forward, as it boosted his confidence and belief in himself as an artist after not being on stage for so long. He took a much different, slower approach to making this album than any other record before. It is evident how intentional and careful he was with writing an album that truly reflected his life and journey thus far. The confidence in his voice and the way he and his collaborators fully embraced the artistic direction of this music shines through in every single song.
The first glimpse we got into Changes was the very divisive lead single, "Yummy", which was his first solo release in about four years. While it is a cute and catchy song overall, lyrically it is kind of silly to say the least. I think many were soured on this album before it was even released because of this song alone. With that being said, "Yummy" really is the outlier on Changes. For better or worse, this song is not indicative of the rest of the record. "Yeah, you got that yummy-yum, that yummy-yum, that yummy-yummy," he sings in the chorus, "Yeah, you got that yummy-yum, that yummy-yum, that yummy-yummy". It's not exactly his best writing, but also not every single song needs to be, nor does it need to warrant an in-depth lyrical analysis. Sometimes we just need a mindless, fun pop song and he never claimed it to be anything more than that. If this wasn't the lead single for the album and wasn't supposed to be this big comeback for Justin, those that harshly critiqued it probably would have had a very different outlook on the project overall. My thoughts on this song are not nearly as negative as I have seen from (most) music publications or across social media when it was first released. It probably would have just been a cute, but kind of forgettable, album track if it would have been marketed any differently. It does help a lot that his vocals sound amazing, as usual, and the more I listened to it, the more it grew on me. Plus it's almost guaranteed to be stuck in your head all day after hearing that chorus.
The rest of Changes is very different than "Yummy". Much of this album is a blend of traditional pop and R&B influences, or R&BIEBER as Justin himself once called it. Much of the sound is shaped by the music he grew up listening to, so it really was a return to form for him. In it's entirety, Changes is among the most cohesive projects he's ever released because of the shared themes of love, self-reflection and healing, as well as the intimate and minimalistic production that unifies each song.
Justin also worked with a variety of collaborators and featuring artists such as Post Malone, Kehlani, Quavo, Travis Scott and more. Along with the romantic love songs, he also opens up about growing up, sobriety, unlearning self-destructive behaviors and his faith. After following his career from the very beginning, it has been really beautiful to see the journey he has been on so far and I love to see the growth he's experienced since that time.
"I don't know if I'd be alive, for sure. It was dark, really dark. So I'm very, very grateful to have influences in my life that have played a huge part in me seeing their relationship with Jesus and their relationship with their wives, and their relationship with their kids, and saying, 'That's what I want,' and I'm striving after that," Justin said of the life changes he experienced throughout his five year hiatus from music in a 2020 interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music.
"All Around Me" is the opening track of Changes, the first of many heartfelt songs dedicated to his wife and the deep emotional connection they share. He expresses his unconditional love and gratitude for her being there for him throughout the song. It beautifully sets the tone for the rest of the album. "Not sure what I was doing before ya," he sings in the opening lines of the song. "I quit tryna figure it out, nothin' like havin' someone for you, someone beside you when it's time to lay down".
"Habitual" further expands on those emotions of having a love that feels so natural and "deeper than the ocean". It also gives insight on the start of their relationship and the journey that brought them to where they are today. "Just to think that we've been out here this whole time workin' through the seasons, never crossed paths 'til we had a reason," Justin sings in the second verse, "Now let's fast-forward, look up, a whole new perspective for life".
Among the strongest moments of Changes is the fourth song "Intentions" featuring Quavo, which as a concept holds so much depth and meaning. "I think, I think a lot of us forget to, me included, forget to set intentions, you know," Justin said in a 2020 interview with MTV. "We as humans get caught up in our everyday struggles and worries and I think what we set our intentions on makes a difference on the outcome of our life, and the quality of life we live." Once again, the song is another ode to his wife and his commitment to her, performed over one of the most memorable hooks of the record and an infectious trap beat. Some of the sweetest lyrics include, "Picture perfect, you don't need no filter", "When I create you're my muse", and "You're my rock, my Colorado, got that ring, just like Toronto".
"Intentions" marked the third time Justin and Quavo collaborated, following their work together on "I'm The One" in 2017 and "No Brainer" in 2018. The collaborations on this album are generally among the most notable and memorable moments of this record. Some of the artists featured in addition to Quavo, like Post Malone and Travis Scott, have been Justin's frequent collaborators in the past as well. The artistic chemistry is evident when listening to those songs, which are among the best on the record. Both of the songs, "Forever" featuring Post and "Second Emotion" featuring Travis, are largely about stepping into a new life of love and happiness, leaving his past behind for a new outlook on the future. "Never thought I'd settle down, I cannot lie to myself," Justin sings on "Forever". "I was busy focusin' on bein' by myself".
The best of the duets on Changes is the stunning "Get Me" featuring Kehlani. It is a smooth and soulful track that beautifully puts both of their stunning vocals at the forefront. "See you lookin' beyond the surface, can tell by the questions you're asking, you got me low-key nervous, it feels like we're on the same wave", Justin sings. Their voices just mesh together so perfectly, it may even be the very best collaboration of Justin's entire career. Kehlani adds so much depth and perspective to the song, it was the perfect fit. She sings, "There's so much chemistry, like a chemist how you finishin' my sentences, in the center, no, we can't deny the synergy."
"I'm freaking married now. I got the best wife in the world. She supports me through so much. I'm really honored to be her husband and I just… Yes. There's more to come," Justin added in his interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music. "I mean, I want to continue to write about what it looks like to be… This is an album I wrote in the first year of our marriage, so it's so fresh. There's so much more to learn about commitment, and building trust, and foundation. I'm looking forward to continuing to build and make music that's going to reflect that." He continued to showcase that all-encompassing love on his following album Justice, released in 2021, and will likely continue to be at the center of his work in the future as well. "It gives me something to look forward to. I think in the past, I was so caught up in all of the bad things in my life that I wasn't able to really take a second and really appreciate all the little things. Yes, I'm excited. It's going to be good."
The final song, "At Least For Now", is about his willingness to finally fully embrace the present and not focusing on the uncertainties that may lie ahead. It is a beautiful reflection of all the emotions that made up the entirety of Changes. This album is a testament to Justin's continued growth, strength and maturity in every regard. Changes marks the beginning of his journey into a blossoming new love and life.
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