Fans Are Losing It Over Justin Bieber's 'Purpose'

The long-awaited follow-up to Justin Bieber's 2012 breakout smash Believe (sorry, Journals' limited iTunes release doesn't count) was finally released early Friday. Entitled Purpose, the LP is worlds away from the innocent ebullience of Believe and even further away from the meandering Journals, an album that was panned by critics and failed to chart. Instead, Purpose offers fans a chance to connect with Bieber on a far more personal level as he laments the darker moments of his life in the spotlight while also seeking redemption. Fan reactions to Justin Bieber's Purpose from Beliebers around the world have been pretty intense and, needless to say, everyone's pretty emotional about the album.

With such tracks as "Sorry," "Mark My Words," and "Life is Worth Living," it's clear that the Canadian pop star is in a transitional point in not only his professional but his personal life. Not all tracks are despondent on the album. Key guest spots from the likes of Big Sean and Nas shift the tone more towards the highs and lows of relationships. Bieber can clearly still get down, but that's not his main focus.

The impact Bieber's latest album has on his fans is very real. Though it's been just a few hours since Purpose's release, it's clear that his message of redemption, forgiveness, and transcendence truly strikes a chord.