It’s a strong week, with the best record from Springsteen’s Tracks II and Justin Bieber’s most palatable record (I assume!). But my favourite release from the week is from maverick R&B producer Dijon.
Bruce Springsteen
Twilight Hours
2025, 8.5/10
The best album on Springsteen’s Tracks II is the one where he ventures furthest from his core sound. During the 2010s, Springsteen worked on Twilight Hours simultaneously with Western Stars. It explores mid-20th-century orchestral ballads and brings back the musical sophistication that Springsteen showcased on his early albums. It’s interesting to hear Springsteen sing the kind of material that would normally be handled by crooners like Frank Sinatra or Glen Campbell.
Opener Sunday Love sets the tone, nostalgic and yearning. ‘Lonely Town’. ‘Lonely Town’ is another sophisticated ballad, with unexpected melodic twists. ‘Another You’ is another favourite, with Springsteen hitting lovely high notes.
Twilight Hours is samey, but Springsteen experiments with different musical elements, like the bossa nova of ‘Follow the Sun’. ‘I’ll Stand By You’ could work on a more conventional Springsteen album.
Twilight Hours is the most uncharacteristic Springsteen album on Tracks II, but it’s also the strongest.
Justin Bieber
Swag
2025, 7.5/10
Even though he’s appeared in my NZ #1 hits column, I’ve never been particularly interested in Justin Bieber. However, on his seventh studio album, Bieber collaborates with producer Dijon, who provides an atmospheric and experimental R&B sound. Guitarist Mk.gee also appears, bringing his exploratory guitar to the lead single ‘Daisies’.
Even though the record’s a little sprawling, padded out with skits, its best moments are magical. Bieber taps into the same wells of sexuality and spirituality as Marvin Gaye and Prince. Bieber’s lyrics are sometimes shallow, but the tunes and vocal performances are strong.
He’s best when he’s singing upbeat, tuneful pop songs like ‘All I Can Take’ and ‘First Place’. The record’s also strong on more downbeat songs like ‘Butterflies’ and ‘Walking Away’. But it’s less convincing when guests break the dream-like atmosphere, like on ‘Sweet Spot’.
I’m not in a hurry to hear every Justin Bieber album, but this one has some great moments.
Dijon
Baby
2025, 9/10
Producer Dijon has popped up on a few recent albums in this column – he has credits on recent releases by Mk.gee, Bon Iver, and Justin Bieber. But Baby is his second solo album, following 2021’s Absolutely. Of Guamanian descent on his father’s side, he follows other R&B mavericks like D’Angelo and Miguel.
I would love to engage in the pop world with some of the more messy, far out sonic choices,
Dijon, The Fader
His R&B is deconstructed – pretty melodies and hooks jostle with aqueous production and emotive vocals. Dijon’s raw and emotive vocals were often recorded late at night. But the songwriting shines through on pretty songs like ‘Yamaha’ and ‘Kindalove’, and more energetic workouts like ‘Higher!’ and ‘Fire!’
You may not have heard of him, but Dijon’s currently an influential figure in popular music, and his second solo album is often wondrous.
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I’ve really enjoyed your reviews on the Springsteen albums from Tracks II. i’ve been debating on getting that one but even on CD it is pricey.
It’s a bit of a mixed bag I reckon, more for Springsteen completists than casuals. And the two best albums on it are demos and lush orchestral ballads.
Wow, 8.5 out of 10 is high praise for that Springsteen “lost album.” That said, while it is reminiscent of crooning, after having listened again to the first track “Sunday Love,” I admit there is something to it. If I can carve out time, which lately has been challenging,” I will revisit that album. I kind of glossed over it when initially sampling different song from across “Tracks II.”
Speaking of Springsteen, have you heard this “new” version of “Born in the U.S.A,” which is on an upcoming expanded edition of Nebraska? While in this form, it would have been odd to have been included on the “Born in the U.S.A.” album, at least there wouldn’t have been any misunderstandings this song never meant to glorify the country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YNufvgPP20
I’m familiar with the Nebraska-era acoustic version on Tracks, but hadn’t heard the electric one. It’s already my favourite of the three.
I feel we’re going to have to disagree on the Twilight Hours rating. I find it the weakest overall, too over-produced for my taste and feels like songs written for a genre rather than good songs that suit a genre, like the weaker moments of Western Stars. That being said I think High Sierra is one of his finest songs to date.
It’s OK to disagree! What’s your favourite record from Tracks II?
I liked the Dijon track…usually newer pop doesn’t do it for me but this is really good. Springsteen sounds like a crooner here which is different for sure.
Glad someone liked the Dijon – one of my favourite records from this year.
That surprised me Graham…but it was different enough for me to like it and a hell of a catchy melody.