With latest EP 'Freedom,' Justin Bieber follows Kanye West to recreate gospel music

(REVIEW) Justin Bieber surprised fans with the new EP “Freedom” on Easter Sunday — just over two weeks after the release of his sixth studio album “Justice.” The six-song EP features guest artists like Tori Kelly, Judah Smith and Pink Sweat$.

“Freedom” is authentically Bieber — the new Jesus-obsessed Bieber — and innovates what we typically hear from gospel music.

While “Beliebers” loved “Justice” for its R&B hits like “Peaches,” “Holy” and “Hold On,” fans seemed less excited to see that this EP was listed in the gospel genre, even calling it “Jesus is King 2” in reference to Kanye West’s album, another unconventional collection that won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music in 2021 but could also have been placed in the gospel category. So far only one song from “Freedom” has racked up more than 1 million views on YouTube (the collab with Pink Sweat$).

Title track “Freedom” features reggae style and focuses on the freedom we have as children of God because of the resurrection of Jesus. But the style and lyric choice of this song in particular feel very incongruent. The recording blends the style of Jamaican, gospel and pop beats with a feature from BEAM on the second verse that cements the song’s tropical flair.

When coupled with lyrics “Big up to our Father, if you call pon Him, Him answer, we need-a the begotten son to prosper,” the song becomes a little off-putting — Bieber is a White man from Ontario, Canada. The musical production is solid, but the heavy lyrical matter doesn't suit the laid-back, easy-going beat, nor does it fit Bieber’s style vocally. Many critics are upset Bieber borrows from Black culture so much, even sporting dreadlocks this month.

The 27-year-old’s teen pop beginnings made him almost an instant hit at 13 and got him into a lot of trouble. His name was in the news for DUIs, assault charges, drug use, allegations of abuse and racism, destruction of property… and more. He subsequently took a break from music to realign himself and his priorities as the world tore him to shreds. His name still floats around headlines from time to time too — most recently receiving backlash for sporting dreadlocks. He went from being the world’s most loved star to the world’s most hated — and he struggled to recover.

Bieber credits his recovery from his teen-star-to-train-wreck years to God. He became heavily involved with the church, re-dedicated himself to Christ and has since been working hard to maintain his relationship with Jesus. With his steady increase towards incorporating faith into life and his music over the last few years of his career, it is no surprise that “Freedom” is a gospel EP.

The comeback album “Purpose” started toying with Christian themes in songs like “Purpose” and “Life is Worth Living.” And “Justice,” which received much critical acclaim, has more emphasis on his faith. Hits “Holy” and “Hold On” are lyrically reminiscent of gospel songs with a modern pop twist.

Even though “Freedom” isn’t gospel music in the traditional sense; it still has the R&B flair that Bieber is known for.

“We’re In This Together” is the only song on the EP that Bieber performs solo. In spoken word verses, he details the trials of his life and his many mistakes:

“I moved out when I was 18
I was livin’ in a mansion doin’ big things
FBI raided my house and shit was gettin’ dicey
I was doin’ stupid shit to get people to like me”

He thanks God for saving his life, saying “All that to say, I’m thankful that’s not who I am and I’m thankful God was with me when shit hit the fan, cause he’s the reason that I’m still standing.”

At the end of the song, Bieber includes a prayer over each and every listener, blessing their families, minds and finances through the troubles of the pandemic. Rather than a worship song his entire audience can relate to, it feels more like a memoir for Bieber himself. In it, he takes responsibility for his own shortcomings and praises God for being the only reason he pulled himself out of it.

The two best songs on the album are “Where You Go I Follow” and “Where Do I Fit In,” as they showcase Bieber’s maturity and sincerity about the genre.

Lyrically, these are the most reminiscent of traditional gospel music. Lyrics like “There’s nobody like you Jesus. There’ll never be nobody like you Jesus…God Almighty, You’re my end,” and “it’s then you remind me, you’re holding me tight and you love me completely, you’re always by my side” are reminiscent of traditional gospel songs sung in church.

Piano heavy and full of reverb, the slow-paced songs praise the Lord and worship His glory; unlike the first few songs, the style of music fits the lyrics appropriately. The soulful, smooth vocals of Tori Kelly and Chandler Moore bring an emotional depth to the song Bieber sometimes lacks.

“Freedom” isn’t for anyone but Bieber is being himself. He isn’t trying to win anyone over, or conform to his past public image – it’s music that is authentically him, an emotional release in a way that his other albums aren’t.

I doubt that Christians will flock to “Freedom.” But for a pop-star producing gospel music, Bieber hits a lot of the right marks. He’s undeniably talented — one of the best performers of our time despite the controversy he’s created — and a great example of an impactful secular artist incorporating faith into their music. From here, he has so much room to grow in the gospel space.

Whether you love him or hate him, he’s trying — and for his first real attempt, he’s done a pretty decent job.

Hannah Gillihan is a journalism student at The King's College in New York City. She has bylines in her school's paper, The Empire State Tribune.

With latest EP 'Freedom,' Justin Bieber follows Kanye West to recreate gospel music

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