Purpose
| Justin Bieber
Purpose
Purpose is the fourth studio album by Canadian singer and songwriter Justin Bieber. It was released on November 13, 2015 by Def Jam Recordings and School Boy Records. It serves as the follow-up to Bieber's third studio album Believe (2012), and it was developed after the release of his collection Journals (2013), which saw him in a more R&Bdirection. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
The advance singles for this showcased his best performances to date while hinting at a successful transition beyond teen pop. And yet, the full record too often comes off like a redemptive PowerPoint presentation while suggesting that the singer’s idea of "adulthood" involves the ability to convey pettiness without emotional intelligence.
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Rolling Stone
Bieber is the comeback kid, with “Sorry” as his theme song. He spends Purpose learning lessons, begging for forgiveness and vowing to be a better Bieber.
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Billboard
New man, fresh perspective, music that pops: That’s where Purpose turns skeptics into born-again Beliebers.
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NME
The Canadian singer plots a path away from being pop's biggest joke with a sophisticated fourth album.
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Consequence of Sound
Apologies aren’t fun. Neither is Bieber’s fourth studio album.
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Teen Vogue
Purpose Is the Comeback Album Justin Bieber Needed He's come a long way from YouTube fame and purple hoodies.
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Spin
By giving us the best album of his career, and subsequently re-ascending to Top 40’s mountaintop, Bieber’s answered his own question: In pop music, it’s never too late to say you’re sorry.
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Write the World
I was very impressed and I hope there’s more work like this to come from him. A handsome guy and a wonderful album what a perfect match!
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Pretty Much Amazing
Although this isn’t quite His Off the Wall moment, it is an intriguing album pulsating with life—affirming that this is, in fact, an artist worth paying attention to.
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Hip Hop DX
Now freed from the throes of heartbreak and also maybe now discovering his best sound and style, he has quite the bright future ahead, and has possibly found his purpose as a performer.
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Head Stuff
Having the right personnel involved would have made a world of difference but the production and the writing simply are not good enough to create a cohesive, interesting or otherwise really enjoyable album.
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Idolator
Like all of us, the singer is nowhere near perfect — but his mistakes were just ballooned to be devoured by the hungry media. It is no doubt Justin’s best collective LP thus far and shows that he is finally confident in revealing his true artistry.
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Mr Miniike's Tea-Sipping Reviews
It stirs absolutely nothing in me. Not fun, not emotion, not happiness, not rage. It simply does absolute nothing for me because I can’t connect to Bieber as a person or an artist.
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Clash Music
For his first album in over three years, it's difficult to see how this could have gone any better – it looks to be a strong move in his transition to adulthood and proves there's far more to him than being a pretty face for schoolgirls to swoon over.
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Tiny Mix Tapes
Justin’s soul, as it were (as it was? as it may never be?), has been stripped away, on this, the product of his comeback narrative.
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Complex
Forgiveness is always a tough ask, but with Purpose as an offering, he makes himself likable again, presenting his music as his confessional and coming out on the other side with a second chance.
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Slant Magazine
If he wants to sell us on forgiveness and the self-improvement angle that lyrics like “be a better me” seem to promote, maybe having the conviction to follow through on his intended musical reinvention would’ve been the best possible good faith gesture.
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Financial Times
The Bieb morphs into a smooth R&B romantic lead, singing songs that are restrained and unexpectedly dignified.
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AV Music Club
It's certainly successful at demonstrating his ability to evolve and dabble in more mature music. But because the album is so hell-bent about pushing forward an agenda of redemption and establishing him as a serious artist, it lacks playfulness.
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The Voice
He really lived up to the expectation of producing a great comeback album. Even though there are those songs that don’t get stuck in your head, there’s no question of the amount of effort he put into each lyric and melody.
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The New Yorker
It largely disposes with that lighthearted spirit to make way for a subdued and grave Bieber. He has either retreated so deeply into a state of contrition that he has lost his taste for fun or, more likely, become so fatigued by the process that he can’t muster the energy required to have any.
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VH-1
If nothing else, he lives up to the title of the album, and for the first time ever, I now consider myself a full-fledged Belieber.
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Indientry
While he has done some pretty controversial things, at least according to the media, Purpose is a fantastic album.
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Backseat Mafia
He finally seems to be taken seriously by the world, but for me it just fell a little flat.
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KSTO Radio
Whether you love or hate the Biebs, you’ve got to hand it to him- he has turned some questionable life choices into a solid collection of music that you will most likely catch yourself humming on your way to class or throwing down to over the weekend.
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The Young Folks
Yes, Bieber’s back, but now it’s time to see what he does now that the “Sympathy Tour” is over. Here’s a suggestion for a title (and theme) for his next album: Balance
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U Music
Aside from Justin having impressively co-written every track, the album undoubtedly marks his growth and new sound.
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Newsday
A comeback clogged with self-pity
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The Paw Print
It's a wonderful assembly of fun songs and beautiful serenades that fans of all music genres can enjoy. This is by far his best album, showcasing maturity, progression, skill, and most of all, repentance.
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We Got This Covered
After weathering the turbulent storm that seems to be a rite of passage for any coming-of-age child star, he has delivered an album that measures up to the standard set by his previous discography - with a little help from Skrillex, of course.
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All Music
A bumpy, oddly compelling restart, Purpose should hook open-minded pop fans who previously paid him no mind, and it could even win back some of those who wrote Bieber off years ago.
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Indie London
Where it started out as bright and interesting, it finishes [over an hour later] over-cooked and irritating.
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The Petroc
It's neither phenomenal musical feat or a flop but an average pop album.
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Breathe Heavy
Overall, it's a great pop album and certainly one of the strongest of 2015. We all knew it was going to be a retrospective record following the past few years but it's surprisingly honest and, for the most part, well executed.
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The Musical Hype
It isn’t a homerun, but it’s good enough to restore him to pop glory.
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The Daily Campus
Overall, it is a delectable piece of pop art, rolling a variety of appetizing sounds into a smooth package unified by a compelling central figure. He comes armed to the teeth with the ideas he wants to convey and has a clear vision of how to do so.
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AZ Central
One thing’s for sure — his music has gotten better. So much better.
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Fanatic Reviews
Justin’s still here and better than ever.
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Xavier Voigt-Hill
It's the album we didn’t know we wanted. Capable of pandering to the existing fanbase whilst endearing the Canadian adult to those who had previously despaired, it’s equal portions succulent pop, a heartfelt exploration of love, and a sophisticated dance compliation.
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Digital Spy
His best album yet -- Treading the line between 'woe-is-me' reformed pantomime villain and pop superstar.
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Five Cent Sound
Definitely his best album to date. It demonstrates his musical progression as well as his own personal growth. It shows that he isn’t afraid to be honest and vulnerable.
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Stacey Sommer (MTV)
Purpose is exactly what I expected this album would be, and that’s a good thing.
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Christina Garibaldi (MTV)
He’s delivered an album filled with a ton of potential hits, but more importantly, it’s bold and honest.
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Emilee Lindner (MTV)
I expected so much from this album because of the hype, and it delivered.
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Greg Hicks (MTV)
Bieber uses Purpose to mend his publicly advertised mistakes and to make himself vulnerable -- and it works.
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Hawk Eye
It turned me into a Belieber after being a Beliedoubter.
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Cryptic Rock
This album provides a unique and great sound..
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The Hoya
He is growing up and owning up to his mistakes, and in doing so, he has created a unique album full of soon-to-be smash hits with the ability to convert many into Beliebers.
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Daily Emerald
Bieber’s ‘Purpose’ succeeds as a pop album but fails as an apology
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The Squall
It really speaks from the heart and provides a deeper meaning for his feelings.
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Artistic Manifesto
It is a sold R&B album that incorporates other elements very well, but stays true to what R&B is: soulful, honest, and reflective.
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High Snobiety
It's fresh perspective and infectious pop hooks may be just the formula to turn a skeptic into a Belieber.
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News Entertainment
It manages to be self-serious without being totally insufferable, using reflective lyrics and some sonic introspection to make some intimate points about celebrity.
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Capitol FM
I think ‘Purpose’ is awesome. I think it’s very exciting when you see artists transition from one thing to something new, especially if they’re extra passionate about that.
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Hollywood Life
Pop star creates his best record yet. It’s a vulnerable and honest set that’s both beautifully produced and intimately delivered.
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103.3 FM WZND
The album as a whole is well put together, but some of the songs are a bit forgettable.
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Motley Magazine
Bieber has finally presented an album that show his artistic ability that both beliebers and haters can finally get on board with.
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Brent Music Reviews
Ultimately, how does Bieber do three years later? He returns to the game…get ready for it… respectably. Purpose isn’t a homerun, but it’s good enough to restore Bieber to pop glory.
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The Early Registration
It provides enough poppy-highs and soothing lows to satisfy any Belieber and is potentially grown enough to draw in fans that had him written off since the beginning.
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Pop Buzz
After first listen, we think the waiting has been worth it.
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Red Brick
He has finally found his sound within the mixture of EDM beats and soulful R&B. Purpose is a well-refined album that deserves the title of best musical comeback of the year, sure to broaden his listenership.
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Spice UK
Overall, I think the album finds a good balance between pop and lyrical substance.
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Just Jane
It's a well deserved world number one album.
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Insanity Radio
If there’s one thing this album ain’t, it’s twee. Bieber has taken a step, a leap, hell a private jet plane ride away from his old music, paying homage to his former self only in lyrics.
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Fortitude Magazine
Having rediscovered his new "Purpose", a newer and more mature Bieber has found his sound in the new album leading to more skeptics questioning and having to address that they may very well be, Beliebers.
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Multi Media Mouth
Just with the first song, I caught myself nodding along to the song and by the time the chorus rolled around I was already singing it, then I listened to the rest of the album and I was blown away.
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Three Penny Press
He sings songs filled with humility, proving his growth from his last album breakthrough.
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Buzz Feed
More mature sounding, production is killer, music/instruments are great, perfect amount of upbeat songs and ballads. It's exactly what I expected from Justin, maybe even better.
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Renowned for Sound
Overall it hits the mark, it’s a record all about documenting the tales of love lost, finding you and moving away from the past.
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The Star
Are you into soap operas?
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Alt Music Box
Overall, though, I have to admit I am sort of impressed with this; it’s a world away from his previous records and, like the best pop music, it’s amusingly oddball enough to stand the test of time against the rest of the bland landfill that seems to dominate the charts.
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Toronto Sun
Bieber steps up, raises the bar and delivers a surprisingly compelling work that could earn him musical (if not personal) redemption.
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The Verge
A coat of treacle covers every inch of Purpose.
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The 405
Purpose is high-stakes pop; a defining moment in his already affluent career and declaration of adulthood to a sea of non-believers.
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Darlingtonian
Overall this album is very strong and a much needed success in Bieber’s recent track record. He sounds humbled, mature, and vulnerable, which is exactly what he needed.
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Ranting About Music!
Really, if there’s one song and one sentiment to take from this, it’s “Sorry”. It’s got the hallmarks of the album’s sound, but filtered through a slightly more dancehall sound... Otherwise, it's more functional as a hard rest on his career than an album.
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Satellite
I am definitely happy with what I heard for the most part on this album, and I am interested to see where Justin goes next in his musical career.
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The Team Lb
His new album seeks to present a new side of him than we are used to. We can only wait to see if he lives up to his lyrics and his new side.
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NE Beep
This style suits him perfectly – it’s edgy, unique and infectious. It seems he has transitioned from cheesy teen popstar to a mature adult artist.
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HTF Magazine
The singer has reinvented himself, proving to all the doubters that he deserves his place in the music industry elite.
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Weston Warhorse
This album is enjoyable from front to back.
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The Verse
He has an excellent new sound that is undeniably catchy, whether you like the singer or not it is almost impossible to listen to the album without hearing a song or beat that will stick in your mind.
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Nigerian Entertainment
Smooth, easy to listen to, and has won him fans from the older generation.
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The Sassologist
It is genuinely a good pop album, and that is what we truly needed in these pop days.
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Royal Purple
It is a rather whiny and bothersome album that has no other purpose than to profit from the behind-the-scenes narrative it claims to be rejecting and from which it is ascending.
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Quays News
It looks like Bieber is back in the game!
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Vulture
It's overly pious and sentimental moments actually backfire: They kind of make me miss bratty Bieber.
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Valley
I've listened to it in full a couple hundred times, falling in love with each song more and more with each replay.
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Lithium Magazine
This album shows potential that he has what it takes to grow as an artist and that he still has a long career ahead of him.
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Entertainment focus
The troubled popstar delivers a credible and exciting new album.
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Stage Right Secrets
His album is definitely a new step for his career; with collaborations, acoustics, jams and deeper lyrics. I can see Justin eventually going for an R&B or electronic career. Whichever path he chooses, he’s sure to maintain that loyal fan base and stunning voice.
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Highlight Magazine
Overall, the album is a triumphant improvement for the mega pop star.
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Her Campus
It's basically the re-birth of Bieber and how he’s changing his life from the chaos that has put him in the negative spotlight these past couple of years.
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Star 2
I kind of want the old Justin Bieber back. His latest album, is much too adult (no, not in that way) and serious. And he’s only 21!
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Female First
Seeing this honestly and rawness to his music is refreshing, you almost forget about all of the ridiculous things he may or may not have done in the past.
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Student Edge
He no longer has any reason to be sorry. He doesn’t even need to be better. He only needs to release singles... and not albums.
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Shuffle Online
He has certainly hit home with great lyrical content with all the songs on this album. I personally thought this album would be an upbeat pop album, but it was a surprise when I found out it was more on the R&B/Hip Hop genre with some hints of EDM.
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Empty Lighthouse
His best work yet... For today, he should sit back and be proud of this body of work. Well done.
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Noisey
On 'Purpose' Bieber might have found total sonic innovation.
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What's Good
It’s got something for everyone, whether you’re an audio nerd or just jam what's on the radio, or you lie somewhere in between. Good sounds, and that’s all you can really ask for.
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Northern Lights
As much as you hate saying it – you know you’re loving the Biebs right now.
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Media Hype
An all round strong album, and is completely well timed for the Australian summer.
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Poparazzi
It's pretty enjoyable once you get accustomed to the fact that it’s Justin Bieber singing. He wants to be taken seriously as an artist, and Purpose accomplishes that.
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A Bit of Pop Music
The days of teen pop Bieber are definitely behind us and we can say that he successfully transformed into a relevant pop star with his own sound.
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Edmonton Journal
The purpose of this muted and wistful album is to let the 21-year-old Canadian pop star reflect on HIS needs.
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