Fangirl Heaven: Bieber and 1D Both Released New Albums Last Friday

Fans of Justin Bieber and 1D are passionate about the new releases. Photo Courtesy / Pixabay © Fans of Justin Bieber and 1D are passionate about the new releases. Photo Courtesy / Pixabay ©
Fans of Justin Bieber and 1D are passionate about the new releases. Photo Courtesy / Pixabay ©
Fans of Justin Bieber and 1D are passionate about the new releases.
Photo Courtesy / Pixabay ©

By Brittany Barnes
Staff Writer

I’m not afraid to admit that I love One Direction and Justin Bieber.

Most people (those over 14), don’t take these musical acts seriously.

Rising to fame in their teen years, it has been hard for these young men, who are now in between the ages of 21 and 23, to break away from their former selves.

Bieber’s fourth album, “Purpose” and 1D’s fifth album, “Made in the A.M.” were both released on Nov. 13.

The albums can be seen as the artists’ transitions into adulthood and clear declarations of leaving their “cookie cutter” music in the past.

Bieber’s album overall shows his growth and maturity, not only as an artist but also as a man.

He reflects on mistakes he made in life. Not too long ago, Bieber was making headlines for a number of reasons: peeing a restaurant mop bucket, egging his neighbor’s home and running with some “bad boys.”

For the past few months Bieber has been on a mission to win back fans, break away from these past events and shut down critics.

On the electronic dance music (EDM) ballad, “I’ll Show You” he sings, “Life’s not easy/I’m not made out of steel/Don’t forget that I’m human/Don’t forget that I’m real.”

On the smooth R&B/Hip-Hop song “No Pressure,” featuring rapper Big Sean, Bieber accepts the mistakes of a previous relationship, singing, “Talking to my conscience/I made a few mistakes/I did it to myself/I’m the only to blame.”

These lyrics can also be applied to his tarnished image. He takes full responsibility for his actions, which is a sign of transitioning into a mature person.

Bieber has grown in style. He built off of his previous album, “Journals,” his first step into R&B and hip-hop, while also blending in EDM and pop.

He creates a sound that is nothing like his earlier music, and he finally presents himself as a serious vocalist.

The piano ballad, “Purpose,” is the most personal song on the album.

In it, he discloses his personal battle with depression. He reveals, “Feeling like I’m breathing my last breath/Feeling like I’m walking my last steps/Look at all these tears I’ve wept.”

The track speaks about overcoming said depression by explaining his discovery of God and putting his faith into Him.

“Made in the A.M.” is 1D’s first album since Zayn Malik left the group earlier this year. Though they have not fallen off, they are not necessarily getting better.

The tracks still have a heavy rock influence, just as “Midnight Memories” and “Four” did.

The first song, “Hey Angel,” is no ballad. The album starts with powerful guitar and drums instrumentals and even stronger vocals. The song will keep your head bobbing and your body swaying.

While the sound is very similar to their preceding albums, the lyrical content is a bit more grown-up than before.

On the pop-rock song, “Perfect,” the guys sing “I might never be the one you take home to mother/I might never be the one who brings you flowers/But I can be the one tonight.”

They embrace their “bad boy” lifestyle and talk about one-night stands and “no-stings attached” relationships.

I never thought I’d hear 1D saying, “If you like secret little rendezvous…then, baby, I’m perfect for you,” or, “I might never be the hand you put your heart in or the arms that hold you any time you want…I can be the one you love from time to time.”

Despite the fact that “Never Enough” is lacking lyrically (the first and second verse are identical), I can’t help but jam uncontrollably. A plus is that it is a very different in sound compared to the rest of the album.

1D does not forget to remind us in “Never Enough” that they are all about the party because, hey, carpe diem!

The guys sing, “Wanna pull an all-nighter and get into something we’ll never forget/Wanna stay up and party the weekend away and not know when to quit/Wanna wake with you and say, ‘Baby, let’s do it all over again.’”

“Love You Goodbye” is exactly what it sounds like: goodbye sex. 1D sings, “Why you wearing that to walk out my life/Even though it’s over, you should stay tonight/If tomorrow you won’t be mine, won’t you give it to me one last time?”

Adult pop ballads “If I Could Fly” and “Long Way Down” show a deeper level of maturity than partying all night and one-night stands: mature love and mature feelings.

“Long Way Down” is all about a failed relationship that had so much potential.

“Olivia” is another head-bobber that also sounds different from the rest of the album, in a good way.

“I Want to Write You a Song” should have never been recorded. It definitely shouldn’t have been put on the album. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s just a weird song and extremely out of place.

“Drag Me Down,” “Infinity,” and “End of the Day” are misplaced within “Made in the A.M.” These songs not only don’t fit into the rock-inspired sound 1D established, they are too reminiscent of their teen-pop songs from first two albums.

The final song “A.M.” gives the album title some meaning. The lyrics read, “Won’t you stay til the A.M.?/All my favorite conversations always made in the A.M./Cuz we don’t know what we’re saying/We’re just swimming round in our glasses/And talking out of our asses/Like we’re all gonna make it.”

Summary: Both artists show growth in different ways. Bieber breaks away from his troubled past, is highly self-reflective and finds his identity as an adult artist. 1D let us know they are no good guys and show consistency is key.

Summary: Both artists show growth in different ways. Bieber breaks away from his troubled past, is highly self-reflective and finds his identity as an adult artist. 1D let us know they are no good guys and show consistency is key.

Memorable lyrics: “Lips so good, I forget my name” (“Never Enough,” 1D), “My momma don’t like you and she likes everyone” (“Love Yourself,” the ultimate diss song, Justin Bieber)

Best Song: “No Sense” (“Purpose”), “Long Way Down” (“Made in the A.M.”)

Final Thoughts: “Made in the A.M.” is an album that you will just dance and sing along to (alone in your room). “Purpose” is an album worth a serious listen.

Email Brittany at:
bbarnes1@live.esu.edu