Justin Bieber, Hold On | Track Review

Justin Bieber serves up nothing but positive vibes on “Hold On,” the fourth advance single from his sixth studio album, Justice.

Prior to making his comeback with Changes in 2020, Justin Bieber hadn’t released a new album in nearly five years ( Purpose, 2015).  This round, Bieber fans won’t have to wait nearly as long as the Grammy winner announced the release of Justice arriving only a year after Changes.  Bieber has been building up to his new album not long after Changes releasing a number of singles set to appear on Justice.  The song at hand, “Hold On,” arrives just a week before the album itself.  The premise? “A hopeful record of just holding on, because a lot of us want to give up at times,” Bieber tells NME.

Indeed, lyrically, “Hold On” finds Justin Bieber offering both encouragement and support.  On the first verse, he’s supportive, asserting, “I’ll pick up the pieces if you come undone.”  On the second, he describes feelings of loneliness and uncertainty, singing, “You need connection but you can’t get close.” Prior to the chorus, on the pre-chorus, he lends his support once more, while on the chorus itself, he uses his own mishaps as “someone who loses their way” as means not to give up and hold on.  On the bridge, he further confirms his willingness to be supportive. As far as messaging and writing (Bieber, Alexandra Tamposi, Andrew Watt, Jon Bellion, Louis Bell, Luiza Bonfá, and Walter de Backer), Justin says the right thing. Furthermore, Bieber sings well; he sounds smooth and performs expressively. Helping his cause is a pleasant, modern pop backdrop, produced by Watt and Bell.

Final Thoughts

All in all, “Hold On” is a winner for Justin Bieber.  The message is positive, the vocals are solid, and the production and overall sound is just that – sound.  “Hold On” is not a game changer, but honestly, compared to some of the singles that graced Changes, this is a better sound for Bieber. Worth listening to by all means.  

Justin Bieber • Justice • Def Jam • 3.14.21

[: Def Jam]