issue 26// vol 45 Eh Rw AA CO Give Justin Bieber a chance already » ‘My World 2.0’ and Justin Bieber analysis Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor ustin Bieber has been getting a bad rep for a long time, especially when he was younger. In 2009 and 2o10 he released My World and My World 2.0. I was in fifth grade and hated just about all pop music, having been listening to alternative since I was six years old. I remember the fanbase quite vividly from my fifth-grade class. Most of the girls would obsess over Bieber’s “Baby,” and most of the guys would trash on his haircut. Some of the girls would also trash on his haircut (including myself) and of course, some guys liked his music too. For many years, this dynamic went on. There were the ruthless, obsessed fans, and the ruthless, obsessed “haters,” as the fame industry deems them. Yes, “Baby” was so extremely obnoxious, repetitive, and overplayed that it was hard to see how anyone couldnt hate it. Sadly, this dislike of the music went hand in hand with hatred towards the artist. The relationship between art and artist has always been an important topic to think about, and the argument of whether to separate the two changes vastly depending on each situation. This one, in my opinion, was unjust at first. Due to his wide popularity, his fans supported him to extremes. However, once Bieber started making terrible decisions (such as egging neighbours’ houses, drunk driving, and drag racing) no one could help him. The fans were disappointed, and the haters felt sweet victory. Now that it’s been many years since his pullback from the forefront, he’s straightened up, found himself a fiancée, and generally seems like a much better person. His music has obviously grown as he has, and he demonstrates a beautiful story of someone who has overcome far too many pressures and expectations from a young age. The best part about this tale is that while Bieber has grown up, so has everyone else. I don't see nearly the same number of hecklers berating his haircuts, his fans have grown up and probably have better things to do than obsess over an engaged man, and I no longer hate pop music! That said, now that we're in 2019 it’s safe to go back and really listen to his old albums. There had to be something special about them that made them as popular as they were at the time. Recently I found a treasure in the thrift store CD alley, which just so happened to be My World 2.0, and let me tell you: Bangers only. In fact, lam so disappointed in my 10-year-old self for having missed out for so long. A year or so ago I remembered that the only song I'd liked by early JB was “Never Let You Go,” which is track six on the album. The music video is airy and honestly quite heavenly. The best scenes are easily the ones where he’s wearing all white and standing ona rock with an equally white and cloudy sky behind him. The song’s lyrics have a more mature take ona confusing love relationship, a different tone from the rest of the album (which is filled with more poppy, surface-level infatuation). The lines “Let the music blast; we gon’ do our dance / bring the doubters on, they don’t matter at all” are hopelessly romantic and a realistic take on how it feels to be in a passionate (yet very teenage) MTD's impressive feats » A review of the Music Technology program's portfolio showcase Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor he Music Technology Diploma portfolio showcase was held on March 27 at the Douglas College New Westminster campus. The showcase features students at the end of their two-year diploma. It’s essentially a large networking opportunity for anyone in the music industry, and a chance for Douglas MTD students to meet with larger companies that may offer work. The Other Press had a chance to speak with one of these students, Ron Nazal, on his showcase as well as what the MTD program has to offer. Nazal does everything from composing to producing, while also being a recording engineer. When asked what his set-up at the portfolio showcase was, Nazal said, “What I have here is what we producers use on a regular basis.’ His table had some headsets connected to a monitor that had a digital audio workstation (DAW) open on the song he had for presenting. He also had a touch-sensitive 5D keyboard that was available to try out. At the showcase and networking event, Nazal was promoting his duo project with fellow MTD student Lucas Davies, called Lanes. “We're releasing an album on the first day of June,” Nazal said. “We have a single out right now. It’s called ‘Déja vu.” I was able to try on the headset and experience his music right then. Photo by Sonam Kaloti relationship. I was in elementary school when it came out so I’m not sure how many children could have taken this song to heart, but I'd like to imagine it hit well with high schoolers at the time. “Somebody to Love” is one of my more preferred types of pop songs—the kinds you can scream way too loud in your car with your friends. It might have been embarrassing once upon atime (I still got made fun of way too much, but I wasn’t embarrassed!) but there’s no argument to fun music. This song is a dance track and features one of the catchiest choruses on the album. Overall, the points I’m trying to make are: Be mindful when separating artists from their art, don’t let bias keep you from trying something new, and if you like something—then let yourself enjoy it! Oh, and give Justin Bieber a break. ‘Never Let You Go' music video still “The feel we were going for for this album was a laid-back chill vibes thing where youre driving down the highway and you take a listen,’ Nazal said. The song sounds exactly as he described it. Releasing it in summer is perfect timing because it’s exactly the type of song you'd want to listen to while digging your toes into the sand. His partner Davies beautifully sings the vocals in the piece, but the pair worked together on the lyrics and the rest of the track. “It’s one of those songs that'll hopefully brighten up your day,’ said Nazal. Tasked Nazal what he would say to people thinking about joining the Music Technology Diploma, and he answered that it’s a good thing to join if it’s your dream. “I'm doing [the MTD diploma] now and I’m really happy,” he said. “I think if you know you're happy with what you're doing and the passion’s there, everything comes along,” MTD students showcased a variety of music-related skills. There were students presenting how different genres of film scores can completely change a scene, students who found interest in creating sample packs and sound effects, as well as students who were more interested in videography altogether. They all had amazing presentations and I wish them well in their future careers.