The 25-year-old singer trended early Tuesday morning with the hashtags #BieberIsBackTODAY and #BIEBER2020 after a series of cryptic posts on his social media accounts, which many interpreted as hints that new releases in the new year with the words “December 24, December 31, January 3… #2020.”
Later in the morning, the rumors were confirmed as Bieber dropped a “super-trailer” for the upcoming single “YUMMY,” which will be released on January 3.
A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on Dec 23, 2019 at 8:30am PST
“As humans, we are imperfect. My past, my mistakes, all the things I have been through. I believe I am right where I am supposed to be and God has me right where he wants me,” he said in the 90-second teaser, which goes on to reveal plans for a new album, docu-series and massive North American tour beginning in the spring of 2020.
“I feel like this is different from previous albums just because of where I am in my life. I’m excited to perform on the tour. We all have different stories, I’m just excited to share mine,” the singer-songwriter continued. “It’s the music that I’ve loved the most out of anything I’ve done.”
Taking their cue, excited Bieber fans jumped on Twitter to share their enthusiasm at the reveal.
“I’d spend 10,000 hours, and 10,000 more waiting for new @justinbieber music,” pop duo Dan + Shay wrote before the official announcement was made. “Please don’t make us wait that long…k?”
“I started this decade with Justin Bieber and I’m ending this decade with Justin Bieber,” one fan tweeted, while another likened the news to a Christmas present.
Back in October, Bieber promised to release a new album before Christmas if his Instagram post received 20 million likes. The post was later deleted.
The forthcoming album (the name of which is not yet known to the public) will be Bieber’s first full-length solo musical endeavor in five years—since the release of Purpose in 2015.
The singer took a hiatus from music after cancelling the last 14 dates of his Purpose tour in 2017. Earlier this year he opened up about his struggles with depression and drug use in interviews as well as in a heartfelt message to fans on Instagram.
“It’s hard to get out of bed in the morning with the right attitude when you are overwhelmed with your life your past, job, responsibilities, emotions, your family, finances, your relationships,” Bieber began a September post.
“I found myself doing things that I was so ashamed of, being super-promiscuous and stuff, and I think I used Xanax because I was so ashamed… Drugs put a screen between me and what I was doing. It got pretty dark,” he told Vogue in February.
In addition to his confessions, 2019 was also the year Bieber recorded collaborations with artists including Ed Sheeran and Billie Eilish—and made a triumphant live appearance during Ariana Grande’s set at the Coachella Music Festival. He also married wife Hailey Bieber (formerly Hailey Baldwin).
Bieber’s next tour will kick off in Seattle on May 14, 2020.
