Justin’s Bold Return: A Soulful Journey Beyond Pop

A surprise release from Justin, his first album in four years, sees the pop star diving deeper into a more R&B and soulful sound than his traditional pop style. From a production standpoint, it’s somber, dark, and full of emotion. The lyrics are deeply personal, allowing listeners to feel the emotion within every track.

While the album features deep lyrics and an upbeat sound, it leans more toward pop at the outset. However, as the album progresses, tracks like “Yukon,” “Go Baby,” and “Things You Do” showcase a more soulful vibe. Many people are also noting that he’s channeling Michael Jackson; in a small way, that makes sense, but it may be more sample-related than anything else. The sampling is well-executed, with some really interesting mixes.

Druski appears on three separate tracks, and while the average listener might not appreciate this, he serves to advance the narrative and help tell the story. Gunna, another featured artist, delivers an excellent melodic rap performance. Dijon, Cash Cobain, and even Lil B inject some positive energy into the project (shout out to the Basedgod). However, Sexyy Red feels out of place and unnecessary on this album.

The second half of the album is very smooth and soulful, though it includes two somewhat unnecessary Druski skits. Overall, the project is impressive both vocally and sonically. While it may be an acquired taste, it’s still worth your time.

Favorite Tracks: “DADZ LOVE,” “405,” “TOO LONG”

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑 (8.7/10)