After a two-year famine, 2015 has been relatively good for Justin Bieber fans. Now, it’s about to get even better.
Bieber has just announced his Kanye West-Rick Rubin-produced new album is at the “final touch stage.” He also says he is set to tour this summer, presumably with his new material and past hits.
The 21-year-old singer’s reveals came during pre-show interviews given during his tandem headlining turn with Kanye West at KIIS FM’s Wango Tango concert in Carson, California on Saturday.
According to on-site reports and video footage, West delivered a scorching 40-minute set. Bieber, less so. However, the audience was thrilled, nonetheless . It also had to be said the Canadian was making his first solo stage comeback after a two-year hiatus since his last tour stop in 2013.
Bieber also elaborated on previous hints about his music. Speaking on the pink carpet, he told the interviewer his new material is “uplifting.”
“I want to do stuff that I know people are going want to dance to… like their emotions are going to be moved when I put out my music.”
When asked if that meant his new album would be less personal, the Biebs denied that.
“Um. No, I think there’s a lot of personal songs on there,” the heartthrob explained. “I feel like I’m expressing myself through this album, and I haven’t been able to really talk a lot and say my side of just stuff that’s been going on in the media and whatever.”
Finishing that point, he said, “So, I just want to make sure that people can understand that it’s about the music.”
When the interviewer noted the often-contradictory, Bieber-gossip claims in the rumor mill, Bieber said, resignedly, “At this point I don’t really read anything.” His big tour reveal came moments later. “I am going to be touring this summer,” he replied, after probing.
During a subsequent sit-down with KIIS FM hosts Sisanie and JoJo Wright, the singer was asked when fans can expect to hear his new jams. Bieber said there isn’t a “specific date” for release, but offered the following.
“I’m working with Kanye, Skrillex, a lot of awesome people, and we’re just wrapping it [new album] up now. So it’s in the final touch stage.”
Back in January, Bieber posted a pic taken with Def Jam Records founder and legendary producer Rick Rubin. Of Rubin’s assist on his new album, the singer said, “We’ve worked on some stuff and we’re still bouncing back ideas.”
The Biebs also praised EDM titans, Diplo and Skrillex. Together known as Jack U, the duo crafted their extraordinary twisted-synth, tribal soundscape under Bieber’s already realized vocal and piano-backed “Where Are U Now.”
The single is now climbing several charts. It is at No. 30 on Billboard’s Hot 100, No. 6 on the UK’s Official Top 40 chart, and alongside other chart placements, remains at No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Streaming Songs chart.
Bieber called the EDM duo “super-talented,” adding that Jack U will “possibly” contribute to his new album. “I was just in [a studio] with Skrillex the other night,” he revealed. “Diplo, he was working but we’re going to be getting it back in.”
Artistically-wise, Bieber said, “Overall, I’m just really happy with the place I’m at creatively right now. I feel like this is probably the best I’ve been.”
Regarding direction, Bieber repeated what he said on Wango Tango’s pink carpet.
“There’s not really a direction. It’s like uplifting music that people are going to dance to… yeah, a little different. It’s just, like I said, it’s really just uplifting and people are going to smile while they’re listening to it.”
Asked if his new album will “channel” his overly-documented dramas into his music, Bieber said he will be addressing the past two years — but from his perspective.
“Yes. I’m speaking,” the Biebs replied firmly. “I’m using my voice… in my music rather than out here in the world, ’cause people often just take my words and twist them and stuff. So, not really talking a lot and just using my music for that.”
Shades of the intention behind the late Michael Jackson’s 1995 HIStory: Past,Present and Future, Book I album?
For more on Bieber’s highly anticipated new album, click here .
[Images via Andrea Tardio/MTV/Getty Images for 102.7 KIIS FM’S Wango Tango]