If you are a Justin Bieber fan, today is Christmas, because Justin Bieber has announced “What Do You Mean?” is the title of his lead single, and it drops in 30 days. Specifically, on August 28.
It’s possible — and highly probable — that a snippet of “What Do You Mean?” has already leaked. More on that below.
On Wednesday morning, Justin Bieber fans tuned in to the 21-year-old superstar’s pre-taped sit-down with On Air With Ryan Seacrest to hear their boy dish about his upcoming single, and talk about his new album.
Beliebers powered #BieberOnSeacrest to the top worldwide trend on Twitter even before the heartthrob’s interview aired. That’s dedication — and desperation — for new fire.
Clearly feeling the weight of all that pressure, before Bieber talked about his August 28-dropping new single, he admitted he recently felt low about the expectations surrounding his in-progress album .
“Yeah I’ve been working a lot in the studio,” Bieber told Seacrest, before revealing that he was, “just trying to have a consistent sound, a cohesive sound.”
Explaining, he added, “I get, like, in my head a lot and I get kind of depressed. ‘Cause I’m so, like, I want it to work so badly. I want people to love it. I want to inspire people.”
Bieber went on, “And sometimes I feel like, ‘Is this good enough? Is this the right sound? Is this the direction I want to go?’ I had kind of a rough week last week but I’m bouncing…”
Asked why by his host, the Canadian replied, “Just like, I get in my head… and I just don’t want to get out of bed sometimes.”
After Seacrest advised Bieber that he needed to reach a “this is it” place regarding his new music, the conversation became a lot more positive when the singer spoke about his new single and general tone of his new material.
Revealing the upcoming jam is “uptempo,” Justin also said it’s “fun,” “summery,” and “along the same lines of ‘Where Are Ü Now,’ “ his banger EDM collaboration with Jack Ü’s Skrillex and Diplo.
“Definitely the first single is amazing,” Bieber confirmed, adding, “I worked really hard on it with a guy named Pooh Bear [Jason Boyd]. It’s really uplifting , clear, poppy, but cool. The sounds are super expensive.”
30 days pic.twitter.com/oaKvaxamsx
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) July 29, 2015
IT’S OFFICIAL. @JustinBieber ‘s new single is coming! Title: “What Do You Mean” Date: August 28! Vibe: Uptempo #BieberOnSeacrest
— On Air/Ryan Seacrest (@OnAirWithRyan) July 29, 2015
That smile #BieberOnSeacrest pic.twitter.com/xHjpjy1f0q
— On Air/Ryan Seacrest (@OnAirWithRyan) July 29, 2015
The countdown has begun… #WhatDoYouMean #30DAYS I’m back ? pic.twitter.com/cdNQ6yvYWo
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) July 29, 2015
Countdown http://t.co/Uf8bPGyovV #WhatDoYouMean
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) July 29, 2015
What Do You Mean @RyanSeacrest ? #30DAYS pic.twitter.com/YRbFQVnljb
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) July 29, 2015
8.28.15 –> http://t.co/QXRmPBNIGZ #WhatDoYouMean pic.twitter.com/ezHGQpkXSO
— Def Jam Recordings (@DefJamRecords) July 29, 2015
Let the @justinbieber countdown begin: http://t.co/WwoOht2nW3 #WhatDoYouMean pic.twitter.com/aCOVJWbsog
— UniversalMusicCanada (@universalmusicC) July 29, 2015
29 days. 14 hrs. 56 mins. 20 secs. #WhatDoYouMean
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) July 29, 2015
The singer voiced major praise for Skrillex, who is collaborating on his album with Diplo, Kanye West, and Rick Rubin. Bieber called Skrillex “a genius” before reiterating that the producer’s style is “super futuristic and I just love his sound.”
Bieber went on, “So, I think I’m going to incorporate that sound with what I’m doing. He’s been super cool because it’s like, it’s new and fresh — and I feel like no one has done it before.”
When Seacrest asked for details about the theme of “What Do You Mean?” , Justin replied, “Well, girls are often just flip-floppy… they say something, and then they mean something else, you know? So it’s like, I want to, like: ‘What do you mean?’ ”
Asked if the mystifying nature of some girls meant he was expected to read their minds, Bieber quipped, “Yeah. I mean, I don’t really know. That’s why I’m asking, ‘What do you mean?’ You know?”
The singer affirmed that he is “very exited” about his forthcoming single and intends to tour after his album after its release. He added that thinking about all of that was “stressful, but I’m ready.”
So, to the alleged leak. As Bieber fans have been aware since last month, when the singer played an unreleased track at pal Viner Matthew Espinosa’s 18th birthday party, it appears a snippet of “What Do You Mean?” has already leaked. A fellow party-goer sent a taster of the song to their cousin, who promptly posted it on Twitter.
Here’s the things, Biebs: If the teaser is your new single — and the calypso-beat song does fit the “uplifting” billing — it’s great. Going forward, although it might not seem as if people are always listening and spying on you: it’s wiser to imagine that they are. It’s also a shock to realize Team Bieber are clearly not tapping into Bieber fan sites, all of which posted this clip weeks ago.
Based on a copyright claim that’s been served, it does appear to be a snippet of the Biebs’ upcoming single.
As it stands at press time, the title is No.1 on Billboard’s Trending 140 chart .
. @JustinBieber ‘s #WhatDoYouMean announcement sent the track straight to No. 1: http://t.co/Vi7TCv6GVq pic.twitter.com/gKO06tMdZO
— billboard (@billboard) July 29, 2015
Take a listen to the alleged “What Do You Mean?” reveal below.
[Images via Sadao Turner / Ryan Seacrest Enterprises]