2015 has been full of pop surprises: Taylor Swift’s juggernaut LP 1989 refuses to slow down, Carly Rae Jepsen released one of the best electronic records in recent memory in E•MO•TION, and now along comes Justin Bieber with a relatively tolerable new single in “What Do You Mean?”
The new jam, a slow burner that would be very well received if it were released by literally any other male pop artist, will be premiered live at Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards.
The laid-back, summery track is the first taste of Bieber’s new album, an as-yet-untitled LP set for November 13 release. The record reportedly features collaborations with Drake, Diplo, Skrillex, and others. Bieber hooked up with Skrillex and Diplo earlier this year on the Jack Ü track, “Where Are Ü Now.”
This is a definite upgrade.
The VMAs, meanwhile, will be broadcast live from Los Angeles Sunday night at 9 p.m. eastern time. Miley Cyrus serves as host. Watch the “What Do You Mean?” lyric video below, so you can memorize all the words by showtime…