'Seasons' Episode 2 Review: Fun moments, tough studio sessions and perfectionist Justin Bieber steal the show
Justin Bieber's YouTube documentary series 'Seasons' dropped the second episode on January 27 titled 'Bieber Is Back'. In tune with the episode's title, the overall atmosphere seems to be more victorious in nature compared to the previous episode, which presented a more melancholic, sentimental tone to it. 'Bieber Is Back' dives further into the production crew behind Bieber, particularly featuring in-studio sessions with friend and creative director Ryan Good and producer/mixer/engineer Josh Gudwin.
A notable thing about 'Seasons' is the flair for subtly sliding in personal aspects of the 25-year-old Canadian singer and 'Bieber Is Back' does just that. Following an announcement of the pop artist himself in loud grandeur (with Bieber on an introductory snare roll behind the drums), the episode moves into playful and friendly moments with Bieber and the people behind the music of upcoming album 'Changes'. Gudwin reveals he has been working with Bieber for about 10 years and we get to see some bromance between the two. Bieber even teasing his fellow producer, saying "Hey, Josh, Josh. I don't pay you to go to the bathroom, bro", which is followed by Gudwin flipping the pop star off.
Ryan Good is often humorously listed as Bieber's "swagger coach" and Good explains how he got connected to Bieber in 2009, saying "The joke was always like, Usher hired me to be his swagger coach." Although, the episode highlights more of Bieber and Good's friendship with some funny moments in the studio.
The episode has a particular focus on the perfectionist character of Bieber and even shows him playing piano, drums, guitar and of course, honing in on sharpening his vocals perfectly. His new hit single 'Yummy' is played in the background a few times with some clips of the singer singing the song in-studio. A verse from 'Don't Go Far' from 'Changes' is also played in the studio.
Bieber's wife Hailey Bieber is on the second episode as well and in an interview for the episode, she reveals the joy she finds in supporting her husband and sitting with him during recording sessions. Kendall Jenner also makes a cameo in the episode, wheeling around the room with Hailey in their Heely sneakers. The episode features both small doses of fun and some strenuous moments in-studio and we get a feel of the skill and well-crafted art behind Bieber. "Singing songs, sharing his music - it's one of the things that makes him happy. It's one of the things that he loves to do. It feeds his soul," manager Scooter Braun says putting Bieber's mantra into words.
You can watch 'Seasons' second episode 'Bieber Is Back' here.
