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Earlier this month, Justin Bieber surprise-released his seventh album, “Swag,” and it is his most idiosyncratic and musically adventurous release to date. Early in his career, he was a superstar by force, and later by will, or something like it. Now, after a few years out of the spotlight, he’s verging toward tastemaker, or at least someone who pays close attention to actual tastemakers.
Midcareer artist rebrands are a dime a dozen, but in the current algorithmically-driven moment, rarely do they veer in such uncertain directions. But Bieber’s work with the guitar innovator Mk.gee, the soul provocateur Dijon, the frisky hip-hop producer Cash Cobain and more indicates a willingness to disrupt his fame a little if it means potentially making something interesting.
On this week’s Popcast, a conversation about Bieber’s tug of war between pop success and R&B passion; how his tabloid life influences his musical directions; and whether any artist can actually navigate the level of fame Bieber has experienced.
Guest:
Joe Coscarelli, New York Times pop music reporter
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Source: Music - nytimes.com
