Tim: Okay, so, there’s a thing, you see. It’s something I’ve, er, come to realise about myself. It’s been a difficult process, coming to terms with it, accepting myself for it, and I’m hoping people will be okay with it. Basically…well, the thing is…right, I’m just going to say it. Now. This moment. Well, after this.
Tim: Right then: my name is Tim and I’m a Belieber.
Tom: Let me guess: and then you saw his face? Anyway. Why are you suddenly a fan?
Tim: If anyone had suggested that I’d be saying that as little as two months ago, I’d have said absolutely not. A year ago, I’d probably have told them to go love themselves, but I’m fairly sure that right here and now is the moment where Justin finally (if he hasn’t already) exposes himself as an actual musical talent with depth, skill and personality.
Tom: Mm. It’s not a bad track, I’ll grant you that — and it’s certainly a cut above what you’d expect given his reputation of recent years, or less recent years. I’ve said for a long time that he’s a good musician — I just didn’t like the music. And this is… well, it’s okay, I guess. Why does it work for you?
With such minimal instrumentation in the background, this shows one hell of a raw side to him that I think even his biggest fans haven’t seen before – it’s apparently written about a particular person, but unlike Taylor Swift, he ain’t saying.
Tom: Mm. Unfortunately, that minimal instrumentation isn’t quite enough for me: it’s good, I know it’s good — and I should mention that video, because those dancers are wonderful — but it’s just not enough of a pop song to make me want to hear it again.
Tim: All in all, I am a big fan of this Justin than we’re seeing at the moment. A proper human being, a very good musician with songwriting talent and vocal skills, and great tracks to present himself with. Also, “my mama don’t like you and she likes everyone” is one of the best burns I’ve heard in a long, long time, so well done for that as well.