Album Review: Justin Bieber - Believe

“Remember, keep an open mind,” my editor said to me when I picked up the new Justin Bieber album. “Yeah, right,” I replied as I looked down at the Beebs' face on the album cover with familiar disdain. Welp, allow me to blow all of your minds: I enjoyed Believe. Yes, I did. Not in the way that I would enjoy any music I actually like – it still is Bieber, after all – but with Believe, good ol' Beebs has crafted a quality pop/R&B album that is deserving of the probably ridiculously huge acclaim it will earn.

The Midas touch of superproducers (Timbaland, Usher et al.) is obvious on the whole album, but easily none more than that of Justin Timberlake. Bieber's reinvention as an R&B superstar completely matches Timberlake's own solo foundation following *NSYNC. Bieber has also gained more confidence in his songwriting and singing, uncle Usher even allowing him to pull out the acoustic guitar on a few tracks, including the much-played single Boyfriend. Some (now very de-rigeur around these pop parts) dubstep gets dropped on As Long As You Love Me, and a few of the cameos are a bit naff, but overall there is a great variety of songs, with Bieber's own centre-stage tracks being highlights.

“What the hell, Cam?” I hear you saying. “Don't you care about your hipster cred?” Well, even though I don't like the little man, I have to admit that Believe is a great pop album. He may just reach the heights of Timberlake, at least in monetary value. Speaking of which, have you heard about the new duet album between Justin Bieber and Michael Buble I'm organizing? It'll be called The Beebs & The Bubes, and…