Interview and shoot taken from HERO 13: True Blue.

It’s D-Day for Justin Bieber. Purpose – the comeback record to end all comeback records – is out today, the pinnacle of an insane year for the Canadian popstar. And with a 58-date world tour just confirmed to match, it’s about to go next level.

Rewind to the start of 2015 when we interviewed the Biebs for our issue 13 cover story, shot by Hedi Slimane. Head down in the studio, the Canadian kid-star was gearing up for the ultimate reinvention, and expressed nerves about putting out a new album under the world’s ultra-critical gaze. Here, we publish the full interview.

James West Hey Justin, how are you?

Justin Bieber Doing great, how are you?

JW I’m good thanks. How was Coachella?

JB It was great, always a good time.

JW Who did you see? What was the highlight for you?

JB The Weeknd and AC/DC were both cool.

JW So what are you up to today?

JB I’m just relaxing before I get back to work.

JW Are you spending a lot of time in the studio at the moment? Is it long days and nights or are you quite strict with keeping a regular working day?

JB I’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio. It’s definitely long days and nights – not normal business hours, nine to five or anything – but I try not to go too late into the night. It depends on who I’m working with because you need to find a time to work where everyone is at their most creative. I love being in the studio and writing and recording – it’s a great way to clear my head and express myself.

“I’m nervous whenever I put out new work because it’s such a personal journey, but I try to remember music is meant to be enjoyed – so I try to roll with it.”

JW What do you think are the main differences between now and the last time you were working on an album? Do you feel lots of pressure, does it make you nervous?

JB The biggest difference is that I’m older, I was 17 when I recorded most of my last album and I’m 21 now. I’ve been through a lot in a public way which gives me a much different perspective on things. I am working with producers like Kanye [West] and Rick Rubin who have influenced me and the music I listen to in a big way. The creative process this time around is more personal, when was younger I would take other people’s experiences, now I have my own to draw from and it makes all the difference because it’s a release. It’s amazing because I’m able to really work out anything I am feeling in my music. I’m nervous whenever I put out new work because it’s such a personal journey, but I try to remember music is meant to be enjoyed – so I try to roll with it.

JW It must be tough having lots of things you do taken out of context. Do you get used to it, does it affect the way you act and talk in public?

JB It’s definitely hard having so many people judge you from a distance. Sometimes you just want to explain yourself, but then that’s giving into gossip and it makes things worse. It’s a tough line to walk.

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