INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Justin Bieber ‘Finishing This Album,’ Eyeing Release In A ‘Couple Of Months’

By Page Mackinley
Published on: 02:20 PST, Aug 11, 2015

Update: Hits Daily Double reports, Bieber and his School Boy/Def Jam team are looking at a November 13 release date for his upcoming album, which would give the singer time to promote his lead single and also benefit from holiday sales.

Original report:

Justin Bieber has mentioned a realistic, approximate time frame for the release of his new album following a misreported claim that it was expected in September. He also revealed he is now finishing up his upcoming LP.

On Monday, the 21-year-old superstar called into pal Shaquille O’Neal’s The Big Podcast with Shaq show, which also featured stand-in host NFL network star Rich Eisen.

“My album should be coming out within the next couple of months,” Justin told former NBA legend Shaq, from the Laguna Beach resort in California, where he is finishing up his new album — as he tweeted shortly after the show.

This pencils October as the month when the heartthrob’s fourth studio album drops, rather than September, as previously reported by USA Today last week.

During the podcast, Justin sounded buzzed over his music releases to come, saying, “I got my single that we just announced a 30-day countdown. I’m just super-excited to just get… my voice back out there, and just get back on tour and do what I love.”

“I’m just finishing up the album,” the singer dished. When Shaq asked about collaborations on his in-progress record, the Biebs replied, “There’s a couple of special guests, but I want to keep that a surprise for now [for the album].”

Teasing the vibe of new single “What Do You Mean,” the hitmaker hinted, “It’s a cool new sound,” adding, “I think it goes hand in hand with the song I released called ‘Where Are Ü Now,’ which is doing alright at radio right now.”

The Canadian went on to sweetly thank “all my fans and everyone who supported with that record,” referring to his EDM hit with Jack Ü’s Skrillex and Diplo, which is currently No. 12 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and still killing it on Spotify in the U.S., Canada, and globally. He then promised fans, “We’re about to have a good year.”

Of his sometimes-hardcore Comedy Central roast, Justin said he did it to “show people my personality and to show people I don’t take myself too seriously.” He added that it “was an awesome experience for me” and that he “grew a lot since then.”

So, we’re getting more on an idea of the sound of “What Do You Mean.” Last month, after dropping by On Air With Ryan Seacrest to announce his first single and kick off a celebrity-assisted countdown to its release, Justin dubbed the up-tempo as “uplifting, clear, poppy but cool.”

USA Today heard the song at the recent iHeartMedia Music Summit, and described it as “a catchy song, with plenty of bass and a slick beat that incorporates the sound of an eery, ticking clock that underscores his lyrics.”

Another notable review come from Ariana Grande who featured in the Biebs’ countdown. Despite her same-day deletion of an Instagram pic of herself holding up a sign displaying Justin’s single title, the diva did leave her verdict on the track up on her Twitter page.

“(yes, I’ve heard it…….. yes, it’s fantastic),” the songstress tweeted, with her now-deleted Instagram link and a separate snap.

Meanwhile, Little Mix observed Day 18 of the countdown. Newly-single Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jesy Nelson are seen in an Instagram pic with the caption, “What Do You Mean? @littlemixofficial #18Days.”

The girl band is in good company with Grande, Big Sean, Kylie Jenner, Ashley Benson, J. Balvin, The Fat Jewish, Halsey, Mariah Carey, James Corden, Travis Scott, Ruby Rose, Ryan Seacrest, and more.

So far, it’s been a cute gimmick and an effective way to use social media to tap into each featured star’s fanbase.

And if his fans can pull themselves together, the Biebs’ comeback might just be something for the ages.

Justin Bieber

[Images via Instagram / Women’s Wear Daily]

Share this article: Justin Bieber ‘Finishing This Album,’ Eyeing Release In A ‘Couple Of Months’
More from Inquisitr