Beliebers (Justin Bieber fans) all over the world had their hearts broken twice this week.
The first heartbreak was when the singer re-tied the knot with supermodel Hailey (Baldwin) Bieber in a second, much larger and celebrity-filled ceremony on Monday. The initial nuptials happened in secret last September.
The second heartbreak this week was when Bieber teamed up with country duo Dan + Shay on “10,000 Hours,” a song dedicated to each of their wives. The country duo and pop superstar wrote this song with the idea of serenading their loved ones, which they do so quite adorably in the music video
Hopefully, the flawless vocals and harmonies in the song will mend the broken hearts of Bieber’s fans. It’s definitely a contender for my future wedding song, somewhere on my list behind “Speechless” by Dan + Shay.
In other music news this week, we got a sub-par song from rapper Travis Scott, just days after the news broke of an alleged split between him and girlfriend/baby mama Kylie Jenner. Coincidental timing? I think not. Maybe the bad publicity will give him another number one hit.
Also this week, I fell in love with a Canadian R&B duo, we got new singles from a former girl bander and a former boy bander, and a collaboration that I never knew I needed finally happened.
Here we go.
THE BREAKDOWN
“10,000 Hours” by Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber
- The second you hear Dan + Shay in a song, you can’t help but think about love. This collaboration with Justin Bieber is no different. With lyrics like “I’d spend 10,000 hours and 10,000 more, oh if that’s what it takes to learn that sweet heart of yours,” the moral of the song is about getting to know every single thing about your partner, no matter how long it takes. While Dan + Shay are always harmonic perfection, the addition of Bieber’s flawless vocals takes it to a whole other level. Add this to Dan + Shay’s list of wedding songs, and make this a first for the Biebs.
“HIGHEST IN THE ROOM” by Travis Scott
- I am not typically a fan of Scott’s music. The baby daddy of billionaire Kylie Jenner caught my attention with his latest release. He took a more subtle approach on “HIGHEST APPROACH,” one that is more enjoyable for my taste. Compared to his most popular tracks, like “SICKO MODE” or “Goosebumps,” I like this one because he used less auto-tune. I’m not saying the song is very good. I’m just saying I don’t hate it. And I probably wouldn’t skip it if it came up on shuffle.
“Cry for Me” by Camila Cabello
- The former Fifth Harmony member is giving me total Shakira vibes with this release, except with better vocals. With every new release from her upcoming album, Cabello continues to get in touch with her edgy side, all while keeping a Latin flavor. While I enjoy the singer’s variance throughout the song, giving us high-pitched vocals during the chorus and spunkier sounds in her verses, this is my least favorite of her recent releases.
“Superstar” by Majid Jordan
- The Canadian R&B duo is like The Jackson 5, Maroon 5, and Foster the People all rolled into one sound. Yes, they are R&B, but they take a more modern approach. “Superstar” is different from any R&B songs being released out into the music world right now, and I think that is what sets this duo apart. They give us funk and they give us a slight electro-’80s synth pop vibe. But most importantly, they make you want to dance.
“Nice to Meet Ya” by Niall Horan
- When One Direction was still a boy band, Niall Horan was my least favorite. That opinion especially continued with the release of his debut solo album “Flicker” in 2017. I just didn’t think the guy had chops. Until now. The former boy bander is all grown up on “Nice to Meet Ya.” To my own surprise, this release is my favorite of the week. He sounds confident, sexy, and I didn’t want to skip the song in the first 30 seconds. He reminds me of a raspier, poppier Hozier throughout the track. The song is groovy, edgy, and even includes live instruments (what a concept in this day and age). Bravo, Horan. Bravo.
“The Bones” by Maren Morris & Hozier
- Speaking of Hozier, I never knew I needed this collaboration until it was downloaded onto my music library. Country star Morris seems to be everywhere these days, and it seems as though the Irish musician wanted in on all the musical magic she’s been making. “The Bones” gives me country, indie-rock, and alternative vibes all within one sound. Their vocals, together, are hauntingly beautiful and harmonic.
“Legacy” by Mike Posner & Talib Kweli
- Posner has taken a break from his mission of hiking and almost dying from rattlesnake bites to release a song with American rap legend Talib Kweli. Together, the two artists give off a cool vibe while addressing legendary status in today’s society, and what it means in relation to social media. The ending lyrics, “I rely on something that’s stronger than me and all my songs will live much longer than me,” describe the song’s meaning in a nutshell.
“Slow Burn (Live from Sun Studios, 2019)” by Aly & AJ
- Sisters and former Disney Channel stars Aly & AJ Michalka sound flawless in their vulnerable rendition of Kacey Musgraves’ “Slow Burn.” What’s even more breathtaking about this release? It was recorded live and left uncut. The now adult women are a powerhouse duo on this cover. Their vocals are captivating and the single guitar backup is relaxing. It’s safe to say the two aren’t leaving the music world anytime soon, even though they’ve both scored a number of huge acting jobs over the years. Most recently, with AJ as a lead role in ABC’s “Schooled.”
