OK, it's not officially a sequel, but c'mon: It's almost impossible to listen to Justin Bieber's new single, the BloodPop collab "Friends," without flashing back to "Sorry" -- Biebs' previous smash with BloodPop behind the decks, similarly co-written with Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter, and another super-fun statement of post-breakup humility.
The excitement over Bieber's latest is palpable throughout the Billboard offices today, but "Sorry" is still "Sorry" -- a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 and certified modern pop classic. So after a couple hours' worth of "Friends" being there for us, how do the two singles stack up for us? We asked six staffers to weigh in.
Taylor Weatherby: In reality, you put either of these one-word-titled, kiss-and-make-up tracks on and I will turn anywhere I am into a dance floor. But I think if I had to choose one to listen to on repeat, it'd be "Friends" (and that's already been proven by my hour-long "Friends" listening session immediately follwoing its release). While "Sorry" was perhaps Bieber's bounciest and most club-friendly dance track on "Purpose," the lower-toned beats on his latest BloodPop collab feel a little more grown-up, which in turn makes it almost even catchier than "Sorry." And if we're going to be really frank, the line "Wonderin' if you think about me/ Actually don't answer that" hits so close to home that it's hard to not favor Biebs' latest over his more established "want you back" anthem.
Verdict: "Friends"
Patrick Crowley: Wait, is this even a debate? There's no question that "Friends" will continue The Bieb's streak of hits, and deservedly so: it's a slick track with an exhilarating chorus, making it easy to hit repeat. But "Sorry" was more than a song -- it was a pop culture moment. After years of being a public nuisance, the track doubled as an apology. Without that moment of vulnerability, it's possible his subsequent singles wouldn't have been so warmly received.
Verdict: "Sorry"
Kevin Rutherford: >Extolling the virtues of "Sorry" isn't necessarily how I thought I'd spend my summer, but here's the thing: despite its faux-sincere lyrics that don't go far enough with an apology as it likes to think it does, the elder track's hook lands surer and with an intricate, altogether more rewarding melody. And those synthetic post-chorus horns trumpet an ebullient, infectious spirit, that floats the song to peaks higher than any part of "Friends" can ascend. Also, can we establish a moratorium on that bass groove beneath "Sorry Lite" (ugh, fine, "Friends")? It's been done enough.
Verdict: "Sorry"
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Lyndsey Havens: On "Sorry" and "Friends," Justin Bieber goes bold by asking the big questions like, "Is it too late now to say sorry?" and "Can we still be friends?," followed by a couple high-pitched, squeal-like vocal deconstructions that make up the songs' hooks. While each is also equipped with a driving, dance-friendly beat, "Sorry" is energized by more uptempo production, as "Friends" chugs along with no true climax in sight. But the biggest distinction between the two is in the lyrics: "Sorry" came out at a time when it was fitting for Bieber to issue a universal apology for his bizarre behavior -- the lyrics made listeners swoon and forget his bad boy past. (He was saying sorry, after all). But "Friends" can best be deemed an of-the-moment breakup track that, though catchy, lacks the same perfect storm of events to secure its place in time.
Verdict: "Sorry"
Andrew Unterberger: Man, this is a closer one than I would've expected. Even aside from the superficial similarities, a lot of what made "Sorry" great carries over to "Friends": Another knockout chorus, production crackles that with the same kind of vitality, and the identical feeling of sounding like the awesome party that your ex is totally missing out on. Whether or not it can unseat "Despacito," it's practically a guaranteed smash, and another one in the win column for all concerned -- though it does lose points for the squawking post-chorus wordless hook, which has been tired for nearly two years now. But "Sorry" wasn't perfect either -- let's not forget that song's caddish it's-not-just-me-its-also-you second verse ("You know that there is no innocent one in this game for two") -- and this one gets the replay advantage with its unexpectedly abrupt ending, leaving you craving more "Friends" than TBS on a weeknight.
Verdict: "Friends"
Joe Lynch: Unsurprisingly, the similarly lovelorn "Friends" reads like "Sorry Pt. 2" or "Sorry (Not Sorry)," if you will -- but considering that Purpose single is one of this decade's most memorable and original No. 1 hits, are you really gonna be mad? You can fault it for familiarity, but it's three minutes of pure pop bliss, something we've had a drought of in summer 2017.
Verdict: "Sorry"
STAFF WINNER: "Sorry"
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