INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Justin Bieber Drops Masterclass Tea On ‘Love Yourself,’ Hopes With Halsey On ‘The Feeling’

By Page Mackinley
Published on: 11:20 PST, Nov 9, 2015

Strap in. Justin Bieber’s Purpose week is here ahead of his album drop on Friday. To kick it off, the gem-packing superstar (via phoning in) premiered new releases, “Love Yourself” and “The Feeling,” featuring Halsey, on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 Radio Show on Monday.

The two songs are as different as oil and water, all the better to showcase the quality and variety heard so far from the highly anticipated Justin Bieber record, which lands November 13.

“Love Yourself” was co-written by Bieber and British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, who co-produced the track with Benny Blanco. Meanwhile, “The Feeling,” sees the comeback kid and indie-pop darling Halsey asking each other if the love they feel is real, or just an idea they’re in love with before they commit to a relationship.

First, to the biting “Love Yourself.” Over a simple and gentle guitar motif, Justin spills (mostly) acoustic tea to an ex with bloodless lyrics declaring he is over it while telling them to move on.

Based on the numerous recent interviews in which Bieber said he still loves former girlfriend, Selena Gomez, and doesn’t seem to be that far off pulling a Jerry Maguire, it’s abundantly clear that this song isn’t about the actress-singer. Naturally, that hasn’t stopped some from speculating that it is.

“All the times that you rain on my parade / And all the clubs you get in using my name / You think you broke my heart, oh girl for goodness sake / You think I’m crying, oh my oh, well I ain’t,” the heartthrob croons deceptively pleasantly.

The shade continues on the pre-chorus. Bieber reveals he didn’t “wanna write a song cause I didn’t want anyone thinking I still care/ I don’t but, you still hit my phone up,” then telling whoever deserves it that, “My momma don’t like you and she likes everyone.”

On the chorus, Justin sings, “Cause if you like the way you look that much / Oh baby you should go and love yourself / And if you think that I’m still holdin’ on to somethin’ / You should go and love yourself.”

It’s as cold as ice, and will no doubt become the go-to jam for anyone who wants to tell a user to jog on. Sheeran sings the higher octave on the hook, blending perfectly with the Biebs. For those who believe in the foundations on which the Bieber renaissance rests, these latest additions to his 2015 canon will only strengthen that belief.

Bustle writes, “One of the biggest signs of entering adulthood is being happy alone — and knowing when someone else is bringing you down. Bieber flawlessly addresses…these topics in ‘Love Yourself.'”

After the cinematic video tease last week, the future-sounding, Skrillex-produced “The Feeling” heard in full does not disappoint. The song is a dreamy EDM-infused muse on the giddy feeling love produces, and asks a central question of whether that rush can be trusted.

In the first verse, the Canadian confesses, “You are to me / A part of me like anatomy / You’re pulling me / You’re pulling me in like you’re gravity.”

It’s not entirely clear (to me, anyway) what’s meant in the first pre-chorus, but that doesn’t stop it from sounding any less right. The Biebs admits, “I’m notorious for thinking you’re full of beautiful / instead of hollow / Sugar on your lips it’s hard to kill / Jagged like a pill, so hard to swallow.”

“Am I in love you / Or am I in love with the feeling?” Bieber and Halsey sing as they come together over the shimmering, optimistic chorus. Of the oft-illusory love, they note, “Trying to find the truth / Trying to find the truth / Sometimes the heart is deceiving.”

GQ, amid the many websites and media outlets freaking out over the Halsey-Bieber alliance, describe the track as “a certified banger. Like ‘What Do You Mean?,’ this song will be played at probably every single nightclub across the world for weeks to come.”

During Lowe’s interview with Bieber, the singer confirmed he’ll embark on a world tour after he wraps up promoting his album. “I just want to be myself and create awesome music,” he told the DJ. “I’m growing up.”

Purpose is now available on pre-order before Friday’s release. The LP includes the hits “Sorry,” “What Do You Mean?” and “Where Are U Now?” and includes appearances from Big Sean, Nas, Travi$ Scott, Skrillex, and Ariana Grande on a remix of “Mean.”

Forget the tiresome One Direction face-off narrative; Bieber’s comeback and quality album releases is an immense story in itself, and deserves to stand alone.

[Images via Getty]

Share this article: Justin Bieber Drops Masterclass Tea On ‘Love Yourself,’ Hopes With Halsey On ‘The Feeling’
justin bieber ed sheeran Halsey
More from Inquisitr