Reviews by ExposingSMG: Purpose
I haven’t done a review in so long, I’m sorry!
Last review: http://exposingsmg.tumblr.com/post/146372915326/reviews-by-exposingsmg-dangerous-woman
As most of you know, I stan Justin. I love his music and I think he’s a true talent. Did Purpose get my coins? Obviously. Let’s discuss.
Quality
1. Mark My Words
When the song first started, I was like whoa why is Justin moaning/crying in the back and why is this beat continuous even through the verses? But then I grew to like the “no no nn no no oh oh” and I was like yes boo tell em to mark your words the way you made your mark on us with this album!
2. I’ll Show You
As an exposing account who knows a lot about Justin’s personal life and struggles (I swear I have a life), this song really hit me. I lowkey had to hold tears back when he was talking about he’ll show you and then I was thinking about his messiness back in the day and how he overcame it. This is one of my favorite songs on the album. It’s very meaningful and I adore how the lyrics are the type to be in a ballad but the beat is poppin.
“Act like you know me, but you never will”
3. What Do You Mean?
The lead single that had his holy comeback upon us! I wasn’t feeling this song too much because it got repetitive since I played it 80 times a day, but the lyrics proving ya girls right so in my heart, I claim it as an excellent song.
Check out our post of how this proves what we’ve been saying: http://exposingsmg.tumblr.com/post/136920287701/justin-confirms-what-weve-been-preaching-about
4. Sorry
This has to be one of the best songs released this decade. The beat is on a different level. Whenever this song comes on when I’m out partying, we all know nobody can hold me back. It’s so catchy and overall a new sound among the crap on radio.
5. Love Yourself
When I first heard this song, I wasn’t feeling it. I was feeling the lyrics about Selena though because again, Justin proving ya girls right! This has to be the most classiest diss song. After hearing this song 402 times on the radio per hour, it grew on me. The subtle beat along with Justin’s angelic voice really make this song very unique.
“My mama don’t like you and she likes everyone”
6. Company
This is the song I ultimately fell in love with when I first heard this album. It’s just a feel good song that I would play on the way home from the beach. I’m in love with the lyrics and the beat even though you know how I feel about dance music. Justin is an exception because I love talent.
7. No Pressure feat. Big Sean
You all know that when Big Sean is collaborating with Justin, we are about to get an excellent song. This is another love song but it’s not one of your typical basic songs. It has a great beat that you can slow dance to and even though it doesn’t have a EDM beat, it ties in great with this album.
8. No Sense feat. Travis Scott
This is one of my favorite songs on the album. It just has a poppin beat with great lyrics to go with. I wish it was a single. It’s a very sexy song. I have no complaints with this song.
it don’t make no sense unless im doing it with ya
9. The Feeling feat. Halsey
When I first heard this song, I was obsessed with the beat and the music in general. I love the begining in which Justin sings and then Halsey kind of echos him. It’s such a beautiful song that has a deeper meaning. You wouldn’t think that Halsey would be a great addition to this song, but she adds a great touch even though I found her voice annoying at first.
10. Life Is Worth Living
Again with these songs about life :( it hits a special part because I know exactly what he struggled with and yall know I’m a thug I can’t be in here crying. It’s such a beautiful song with a great meaning. I love that this song just has Justin and the piano. I imagine someone singing this song around a campfire.
11. Where Are U Now
Oh this grammy award winning bop that I didn’t like that much at first. This song started all the hype for Justin’s song and I love the lyrics and the beat during the verses. I wasn’t too fond of the beat during the chorus, but I’m biased about that since I don’t love dance music as much as the next person. Overall, this is a great song that got me dancing whenever it came on.
12. Children
This is another inspiring song that I adore. I love the lyrics, but not so much the beat, but again, I’m not that big on dance music. Is this song in my summer playlist where I play in the car? Yeah. Sometimes I feel like he’s just yelling at me and banging on a bunch of different instruments. It’s a great song but not my cup of tea. I’d appreciate an acoustic version more.
13. Purpose
This song ties the album in perfectly. You already know how I feel about the lyrics. When he starts talking during the song, ya girl gotta hold back tears. I’m truly proud of him.
But then I know that he combatted his struggles so I’m like
14. Been You
This is a cute song. It adds a great touch to the album. For some reason, I always forget this song even though I adore the verses. The verses > chorus.
15. Get Used To It
I love this song because it’s about moving on from an ex to falling in love with a friend. It gives me Jailey teas. No they’re not dating. The beat is also cute.
16. We Are feat. Nas
This song is one of my favorite songs on the album. It gives me a nostalgic feel of the good old days for some reason. The lyrics on this album are outstanding and I just adore this song. The beat is excellent and ties in perfectly with the production of the song itself. Nas’ part is also a good touch.
they ain’t ever had your back like i got it
17. Trust
Not my favorite on the album. I tend to forget it and while writing this, I’m listening to the beginning and I can’t remember the chorus for some reason. I’ve heard better snippets of his scrapped songs on Instagram.
18. All In It
This song gives me 2012 and Journals teas! I love the meaning of this song and the beat is also cute.
19. What Do You Mean (acoustic)
I adore acoustic songs and I personally like this version better than the original.
20. Home To Mama feat. Cody Simpson
This is on the Japanese edition of the album but I honestly love this song. My favorite part is when Justin sings and the guitar kind of mimicked him during the bridge. Cody’s voice ties in with Justin’s perfectly. This song just makes my heart melt. It’s adorable and it’s not the usual love bullshit you hear on the radio.
21. Hit The Ground
This is on the Japanese and Walmart version of the album and I recently discovered the song and I fell in love with it. Again, the lyrics are beautiful. The beat during the chorus is actually so unique and for some reason it reminds me of being in an exoctic country.
22. The Most
This is also on the Japanese and Walmart version of the album.
We are fighting because none of you told me that this is the original “Where Are U Now.” You know how much I love the lyrics in WAUN and how I wasn’t too fond of the beat at first and then suddenly I find this and I’m blessed. I adore the soft beat in the background. It’s beautiful and I can’t believe it took this review to help me discover this song!!!! I feel like my eyes discovered a new color but instead with my ears if this makes any sense
Writing Credits
Out of 22 songs, Justin co-wrote each and every one of them! Amazing. Talent never fails.
Lead Single Performance
This is one of my favorite performances of the song. It’s not even his concert and yet the crowd is so engaged. It’s such an intimate performance and even though he doesn’t sing much in the chorus, his dancing is on point especially the part with the Elysandra. For the verses where he does sing, his voice is on point and he’s serving vocals. Overall it’s a great performance.
Justin isn’t really into the flashy outfits anymore, but even then, his casual clothes suit and help create more of an intimate feel with the fans.
PR or Damage Control
My speciality.
Justin was a mess specifically in 2013. We all know that. He was going through some serious issues and instead of his peers helping him, the majority sold him out, including his ex.
He’s had a tough year.
Justin’s comeback was genuine. He wasn’t trying to sell a religious image like some people. Ironically, there wasn’t that much damage control put in place since Justin came out and said “I’m sorry.” I respect that a lot. On top of that, Justin set the record straight. When he was wrong, he said he was wrong. When he was framed by the media, he set the record by saying so. Here’s an entire thread about it: https://twitter.com/jdbftavon/status/756925657301520384
Damage control was put in place when Justin was starting his comeback though.
Like I told you in my last review with Ariana Grande for Dangerous Woman, when your fave comes out and jokes about their behavior to make them seem more relatable, that’s damage control. It could be genuine, but it’s also damage control. Justin poked fun at most of his scandals and that made people feel like he’s relatable which he truly is, minus the money though.
Some people will argue that Justin breaking down at the VMAs after his performance was publicity and although I can’t be one to say “oh his team didn’t tell him to let the waterworks fly” since I wasn’t there, I can confidently say I don’t think him crying was planned. I think his team probably told him to try and let the tears come down, but I honestly think they didn’t have to tell him that. He’s a senstive boy (and not that good of an actor lol). He’s been through alot and you hear a lot about that from his album. It was his first appearance at an award show since he was booed so when he got a standing ovation, it’s understandable that he would break down.
Other than those occassions, there hasn’t been much publicity taken in Justin’s comeback. Aside from his deal with Selena, his comeback is genuine. He still speaks his mind and will be like “nah no photos” and will straight out tell you what he thinks. That’s not publicity. That’s just a celebrity finally being real and refusing to be treated like a machine. And the whole phones situation has people following in his footsteps like Beyonce and Adele who reportedly said no phones at concerts. What a trendsetter.
I hope you enjoyed this review and the breakdown of any damage control taking place!
Final thoughts: Purpose was an excellent album and probably one of my favorites released ever. Overall it was extremely meaningful and inspiring. It delivered a lot of a dance songs that will live on forever. It wasn’t successful because it was Justin’s album. It was extremely successful because it was a great one. It showcases his journey and how he overcame everything. The release was so genuine and he apologized for everything as opposed to doing charity and hope that people forget what he did. Justin is a mainstream artist but this is not a shitty mainstream album. I’m very impressed.
5 out of 5 stars.
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Don’t think that I’ll be giving 5 stars to everyone.
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