{{Infobox album | name = Journals | type = Compilation | artist = Justin Bieber | cover = Justin Bieber Journals.png | border = yes | alt = | released = {{start date|2013|12|23}} | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = * R&B<ref name=spin/><ref name=musictimes>{{cite news|last1=Menyes|first1=Carolyn|title=Review: Justin Bieber releases five new R&B influenced songs to complete 'Journals' album [LISTEN]|url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/2972/20131223/review-justin-bieber-releases-five-new-r-b-influenced-songs.htm|access-date=November 30, 2015|work=Music Times|date=December 23, 2013}}</ref> | length = {{duration|m=55|s=03}} | label = {{flatlist| *Island *RBMG *Schoolboy }} | producer = {{flatlist| *Justin Bieber (exec.) *Scooter Braun (exec.) *Usher (exec.) }} *T-Minus *Sir Nolan *D.K. The Punisher *Diplo *Poo Bear *Maejor Ali *Soundz *Darkchild *Andre Harris *the Audibles *Chef Tone | prev_title = Believe Acoustic | prev_year = 2013 | next_title = Purpose | next_year = 2015 | misc = {{Singles | name = Journals | type = Compilation | single1 = Heartbreaker | single1date = October 7, 2013 | single2 = All That Matters | single2date = October 14, 2013 | single3 = Hold Tight | single3date = October 21, 2013 | single4 = Recovery | single4date = October 28, 2013 | single5 = Bad Day | single5date = November 4, 2013 | single6 = All Bad | single6date = November 11, 2013 | single7 = PYD | single7date = November 18, 2013 | single8 = Roller Coaster | single8date = November 25, 2013 | single9 = Change Me | single9date = December 2, 2013 | single10 = Confident | single10date = December 9, 2013 }} }} '''''Journals''''' is the second compilation album by the Canadian singer Justin Bieber. It was released through Island Records on December 23, 2013. The album features guest appearances from R. Kelly, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne, Future, and Big Sean.<ref name = "Billboarddec9">{{cite web|last=Werde|first=Bill|date=December 9, 2013|title=Justin Bieber's 'Journals' Collection to Drop In Time For Christmas (Exclusive)|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/justin-biebers-journals-collection-to-drop-in-time-for-christmas-5819924/|publisher=Billboard|access-date=December 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Coleman|first=Miriam|title=Justin Bieber Dropping Limited-Release 'Journals'|date=9 December 2013 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/justin-bieber-dropping-limited-release-journals-20131209|publisher=Rolling Stone|access-date=December 22, 2013}}</ref> ''Journals'' is an R&B album that sees Bieber mostly deal with themes of heartbreak and forgiveness in a romantic relationship.<ref>{{cite web|last=Williott|first=Cole|title=Justice For 'Journals' In Defense Of Justin Bieber's Overlooked 2013 -Album|date=23 November 2015|url=https://www.idolator.com/7615455/justin-bieber-journals-review-justice-for-journals-in-defense-of?andro=1&ios=1&safari=1|publisher=Idolator|access-date=November 23, 2015}}{{dead link|date=August 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> To achieve a more mature sound, production was handled by a variety of record producers, such as new producers Poo Bear, Maejor Ali, Andre Harris, D.K. the Punisher, Soundz, and the Audibles, as well as previous producers Chef Tone, T-Minus, Diplo, Darkchild and Sir Nolan. A ten-week digital download campaign titled Music Mondays, in which one new song was released every Monday night, was held from October 7, 2013, to December 9, 2013. In addition to the songs released on Music Mondays, ''Journals'' is also composed of five other previously unreleased songs.

Despite Bieber reaching number one on the ''Billboard'' Social 50 popularity chart in the United States during the album's promotion, it did not chart on the US ''Billboard'' 200 until 2026.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|title=Justin Bieber's 12-Year-Old 'Journals' Album Debuts on Billboard 200 After Coachella|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/justin-bieber-journals-debut-billboard-200-chart-1236227490/|access-date=April 21, 2026|magazine=Billboard|date=April 20, 2026}}</ref> It has been certified platinum by the RIAA. It reached the top-forty in some countries and debuted in the top 10 only in Denmark and Norway. It was initially only released digitally, but was eventually released on LP in 2016.<ref name="amazon.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Journals-2-LP-Justin-Bieber/dp/B019PXKQMO|title=Journals|date=12 February 2016|website=Amazon.com|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref>

The album was met with lukewarm reviews from music critics. Although some praised its mature direction and labeled it his best material, others dismissed its similar themes and "unfinished" production. The album has since come to be regarded as a cult favorite among Bieber's fans.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=How Justin Bieber's 'Journals' Laid the Foundation For His Turn to R&B|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/justin-biebers-journals-album-reppraisal-8550970/|access-date=2020-12-03|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}</ref>

== Background and recording == While touring with his Believe Tour throughout 2012 and 2013, Justin Bieber managed to write new songs every day. According to his manager, Scooter Braun, the writing process had him "writing one to two songs a day for the entire tour and [...] label[ing] them by the city he wr[o]te them in."<ref name=mtvnews1>{{cite news|last1=Vena|first1=Jocelyn|title=Justin Bieber Has How Many New Songs In His Journal?|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1706277/justin-bieber-journal-new-music/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805221437/http://www.mtv.com/news/1706277/justin-bieber-journal-new-music/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 5, 2014|access-date=November 25, 2015|work=MTV News|date=April 24, 2013}}</ref> In January 2013, Bieber confirmed he was writing for a new album,<ref>{{cite news|title=Justin Bieber Vows To "Prove Doubters Wrong" While Working On New Music|url=http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/justin-bieber/news/new-music-doubters/#uCb1l7iqZzKRLWik.97|access-date=November 30, 2015|work=Capital FM|date=January 4, 2013}}</ref> as well as American R&B singer R. Kelly that confirmed he was working with Bieber on the album.<ref>{{cite news|title=R. Kelly Chills With Justin Bieber|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/01/22/r-kelly-chills-with-justin-bieber/|access-date=November 30, 2015|publisher=Rap-Up|date=January 22, 2013}}</ref> Meanwhile, in June of the same year, he confirmed a new album, the rest of the Believe Tour and a movie for 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Justin Bieber Says 'No Break,' Confirms New Album and Movie|url=http://singersroom.com/content/2013-06-25/Justin-Bieber-Says-No-Break-Confirms-New-Album-and-Movie/|access-date=November 30, 2015|work=Singersroom|date=June 25, 2013}}</ref> In July, Braun gave an interview for MTV News, where he discussed the album, claiming: "For this project, we want to do things a little bit differently. And there are more songs than 10 or 12, so if you have more music and you have more things you want to express, you gotta think out the box, and [think like] ’How do I get this out there in a unique way where it gets directly to my fans and I can express myself through music directly to them?’ And I think that's what it's about when you have people who are incredibly creative, things happen."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Vena|first1=Jocelyn|title=Justin Bieber Will 'Speak For Himself' On Next Album And Movie|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1710090/justin-bieber-new-album-music-journal/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608234831/http://www.mtv.com/news/1710090/justin-bieber-new-album-music-journal/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 8, 2014|access-date=November 30, 2015|publisher=MTV News|date=July 8, 2013}}</ref> In August, Bieber confirmed he was working with American rapper Future. It was also reported he was working with Juicy J, Ludacris and Big Sean.<ref>{{cite news|title=Justin Bieber + Future = Collaboration In the Works?|url=http://www.popstoptv.com/music-411/justin-bieber-future-collaboration-in-the-works-28441.html#axzz3t1cT4f1d|access-date=November 30, 2015|publisher=PopStopTV.com|date=August 19, 2013}}</ref> In December, he also confirmed he was working with Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chance the Rapper and Justin Bieber are working together, possibly with Diplo, R. Kelly, Lil Wayne and Big Sean|url=http://www.factmag.com/2013/12/03/chance-the-rapper-and-justin-bieber-are-working-together-possibly-with-diplo-r-kelly-lil-wayne-and-big-sean/|access-date=November 30, 2015|work=Fact|date=December 3, 2013}}</ref>

As executive producer, Justin enlisted previous collaborators such as Rodney Jerkins, Maejor, Diplo and Sir Nolan, while working with a range of new R&B producers such as The Audibles, Andre Harris, D.K. the Punisher, Soundz, Chef Tone, T-Minus, Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd and others. Boyd became one of the most frequent collaborators on the album, writing with Bieber several songs as well as producing some. According to the producer, Bieber suggested they to "flip those Craig David chords and [...] create something." By doing so, he came up with the song "Recovery", a song that was finished at Cherry Beach Sound in Toronto. As he recalled, the process had Bieber hearing Boyd songs and selected them to sing, and many songs from the producer turned into songs off ''Journals''. Boyd continued: "He [Bieber] just felt them so much, so strongly. It was just a matter of me letting go of the fact that I don't care about me being a singer more so than I care about putting great music out into the universe. Then I was able to do it. The songs that I felt like were too mature, we changed them up to fit him like a custom suit."<ref name=thefader>{{cite news|last1=Golden|first1=Zara|title=How Justin Bieber Grew Into Himself, According To Poo Bear|url=http://www.thefader.com/2015/11/11/justin-bieber-poo-bear-purpose-journals|access-date=November 30, 2015|work=The Fader|date=November 11, 2015}}</ref>

==Composition== An R&B<ref name=idolator>{{cite news|last1=Williot|first1=Carl|title=Justice For 'Journals': In Defense Of Justin Bieber's Overlooked 2013 Album|url=http://www.idolator.com/7615455/justin-bieber-journals-review-justice-for-journals-in-defense-of|access-date=November 30, 2015|work=Idolator|date=November 23, 2015}}{{dead link|date=August 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name=fact>{{cite news|last1=Cliff|first1=Aimee|title=Journals - FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music.|url=http://www.factmag.com/2014/01/17/journals/|access-date=November 30, 2015|work=Fact|date=January 17, 2014}}</ref> album, ''Journals'' steps away from Bieber's more teen-pop sound of his previous efforts, while also having pop influences. As claimed by ''Spin''{{'s}} Brandon Soderberg, "[s]onically, it's up there with ''Beyoncé'' in terms of holding tight to the patience of '80s and '90s R&B while never forgetting the sugar-rush rewards of pop." Soderberg also reflected that Bieber was inspired by many R&B artists such as "Aaliyah, Drake, Frank Ocean, Sufjan Stevens, Sade, and Usher out of EDM mode."<ref name=spin>{{cite news|last1=Soderberg|first1=Jason|title=Justin Bieber Made a Pretty Great R&B Album, Despite Himself|url=http://www.spin.com/2014/01/justin-bieber-journals/|access-date=November 30, 2015|work=Spin|date=January 8, 2014}}</ref> According to one of its producers, Jason Boyd, "Justin grew up listening to R&B. Journals was trying because it was going against the grain [of what he had been doing sonically], but it served so much of a purpose in him growing up."<ref name=thefader/> Chris Martins of ''Billboard'' also noted that the album "drew on Boyd's experience writing for 112, Usher and Chris Brown."<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Martins|first1=Chris|title=Billboard Cover: Justin Bieber Says 'I Was Close to Letting Fame Destroy Me'|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/cover-story/6753004/justin-bieber-fame-faith-selena-gomez|access-date=December 1, 2015|magazine=Billboard|date=November 5, 2015}}</ref>

The album is composed by many "slow numbers", such as "Hold Tight," "All Bad" and "PYD", which Carl Williot of ''Idolator'' considered "racy, restrained jams in the vein of The Weeknd's mixtapes (minus the danger), each utilizing the bare minimum in terms of percussion." "One Life" was also noted for having influences by The Weeknd and Frank Ocean.<ref name="Toronto Star"/> Williot also noted that "'Roller Coaster' took the disco-pop and pop-funk<ref name="latimes.com">{{Cite web |date=2013-12-24 |title=Review: Justin Bieber comes of age in 'Journals' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-justin-bieber-album-journals-20131224-story.html |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> craze of 2013 and marries it to trap stomps,<ref name=idolator/> as well as "freestyle-meets-Sonic the Hedgehog roller-skating grooves", completed Soderberg.<ref name=spin/> "Bad Day" and "Swap It Out" flirt with late nostalgic '90s R&B/bling rap sweet spot, while "Confident" and closer "Memphis" channel Timbaland's prime with their brittle, syncopated percussion and background yelps."<ref name=idolator/> "Change Me', as noted by Soderberg, has a "The Tony Rich Project" feel to it, while "Backpack" is a futuristic pop song with a guitar solo.<ref name=spin/> The music is slower and more restrained, with clean-toned electric guitar licks and gently stuttering R&B groove;<ref name="latimes.com"/> "Recovery" features a "Craig David-sampling swoon" of "Fill Me In", "All that Matters" pushes Bieber's "earnest vocal into the limelight over an instrumental that relies on little more than swirling guitar strums and plush bass," and "Heartbreaker" features "chords [that] swim in and out of focus over a low-slung groove and vocals [that] float menacingly somewhere over your head" as ''Fact''{{'s}} Aimee Cliff noticed.<ref name=fact/>

==Music and lyrics== ''Journals'' main themes deal with heartbreak and forgiveness in a romantic relationship, with many critics noting that it was influenced by Bieber's relationship with former girlfriend Selena Gomez.<ref name="Los Angeles Times"/><ref name="NYdailynews"/><ref name=pluggedin>{{cite news|last1=Holz|first1=Adam R.|title="Journals" Album Review (2013) &#124; Plugged In|url=http://www.pluggedin.com/music-reviews/album/justin-bieber-journals|access-date=December 1, 2015|publisher=Plugged In (publication)|date=December 23, 2015}}</ref> It finds the singer apologizing, taking responsibility for bad behavior and pledging lifelong faithfulness, while also talking about sex in some songs.<ref name=pluggedin/> Adam R. Holz of ''Plugged In (publication)'' noted that "'Journals' is a mournfully desperate, frequently "freaky" set of songs that finds the 19-year-old Canadian singer begging for a second chance with an ex. And it's tempting to buy in to Justin Bieber's repeated pleas for one last loop-around with his beloved. That's because the painfully plaintive nature of his repeated pleas gives him an air of wounded authenticity. It's not hard to believe that he really has lost the one girl (Selena Gomez) who means everything to him, and that he'll do anything to win her back."<ref name=pluggedin/>

The first song, "Heartbreaker" co-produced by Maejor, finds Bieber begging for his lover to not break his heart, "suggest[ing] that while he's got real flaws, those shouldn't completely disqualify him" and "pledg[ing] love through ups and downs, good times and bad." "I know the seasons may change/And sometimes love goes from sunshine to rain/ … I still believe in us/I still believe in love," he sings.<ref name=pluggedin/> "All That Matters" continues in the same vein, with lines like: "Oh, oh, whenever you're not in my presence/It feels like I'm missing my blessings, yeah."<ref name=pluggedin/> "Hold Tight" "focuses almost exclusively on sex," while "Recovery" finds Bieber " taking responsibility for mistakes and praying for a second chance."<ref name=pluggedin/> "Bad Day" and "All Bad" shared similarities, with the first talking about a painful break-up, while the latter has him "assuring a lover that the haters have him all wrong"<ref name="Los Angeles Times"/> and, according to Holz, making a "meanspirited and sexist accusation" about how "females like to run their mouths."<ref name=pluggedin/> "PYD" features Bieber and R. Kelly singing about "having sex with a woman in just about as many locations as they can brainstorm. The titular acronym stands for "put you down," a slang reference to sex."<ref name=pluggedin/>

The eighth track, "Roller Coaster", which references "Ohio Players' 1970s hit "Love Rollercoaster", talks about the loneliness of long-distance loving,<ref name=fact/> while the piano ballad "Change Me" is about "accepting responsibility before proposing a solution to a problem he didn't even have."<ref name="Los Angeles Times"/> "Confident" talks about someone he's apparently just spied, while Chance the Rapper also talks about the song's main subject.<ref name=pluggedin/> "One Life", co-written by Drake, "offers another take on those sorts of faithfulness pledges",<ref name=pluggedin/> having a "YOLO [you only live once] with a conscience" theme.<ref name=spin/> "Backpack" finds Bieber "fall[ing] in love with an alien girl whom he desires to 'stay in my backpack forever'."<ref name="Toronto Star"/> "What's Hatnin'" focuses on conflict resolution and forgiveness,<ref name=pluggedin/> "Swap It Out" "looks into the complicated feelings that go into a relationship,"<ref name=musictimes/> and "Memphis" "finds Bieber exploring a relationship, wherein he wants to be with his butterfly-giving girl 24/7."<ref name=musictimes/> The bonus song, "Flatline", "explores a failed relationship, due to his busy schedule and the girl in question always contacting him at the wrong times, then not returning the phone calls he attempts to make."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Menyes|first1=Carolyn|title=Review: Justin Bieber's heart goes 'Flatline' in new free iTunes single [DOWNLOAD]|url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/2978/20131223/review-justin-biebers-heart-goes-flatline-new-free-itunes-single.htm|access-date=December 1, 2015|work=Music Times|date=December 23, 2013}}</ref>

==Release and promotion== On October 3, 2013, Bieber announced that he would release one new song every Monday for 10 weeks, leading up to the release of his ''Believe'' theatrical film, which saw a limited one-week release on Christmas Day 2013. Each of the singles released has its own original artwork, featuring a white and purple theme.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Menyes|first1=Carolyn|title=Justin Bieber releases rest of 'Journals' artwork on Instagram, featuring chess pieces, a blocky M and a rocket ship [PHOTO]|url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/2779/20131212/justin-bieber-releases-rest-journals-artwork-instagram-featuring-chess-pieces.htm|access-date=December 1, 2015|work=Music Times|date=December 12, 2013}}</ref> The first song issued during "Music Mondays", as Bieber had touted the weekly releases, "Heartbreaker", was issued on October 7, 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Lipshut|first1=Jason|title=Justin Bieber Releases Moody 'Heartbreaker' Single: Listen|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/justin-bieber-releases-moody-heartbreaker-single-listen-5748096/|access-date=December 1, 2015|magazine=Billboard|date=October 7, 2013}}</ref> The song reached the top of the Denmark charts, the top-ten in other three countries and peaked inside the top-twenty on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, the UK Singles Chart and other five territories.<ref>{{cite web|title=Heartbreaker by Justin Bieber - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.co/song/80695|publisher=Acharts.co|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref> The second song, "All That Matters", was released on October 14, 2013, and was the first to receive a music video treatment, released on December 2, 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Greer|first1=Carlos|title=Justin Bieber Releases Steamy New Video for 'All That Matters'|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20762203,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205125220/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20762203,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 5, 2013|access-date=December 1, 2015|work=People|date=December 3, 2013}}</ref> It was another number-one single in Denmark, while reaching the top-twenty in eight countries, including the United Kingdom. In the United States, it reached number 24.<ref>{{cite web|title=All That Matters by Justin Bieber - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.co/song/80922|publisher=Acharts.co|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref> "Hold Tight" was the third, released on October 21, 2013, and also his third consecutive number-one in Denmark; elsewhere it reached the top-forty in over ten countries,<ref>{{cite web|title=Hold Tight by Justin Bieber - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.co/song/81374|publisher=Acharts.co|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref> followed by "Recovery" and "Bad Day", released on October 28, 2013, and November 4, 2013, respectively, with both reaching the top-forty in many countries, while the latter becoming the album's fourth number-one single in Denmark.<ref>{{cite web|title=Recovery by Justin Bieber - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.co/song/81538|publisher=Acharts.co|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bad Day by Justin Bieber - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.co/song/81705|publisher=Acharts.co|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref> The other five subsequent singles, "All Bad", "PYD", "Roller Coaster", "Change Me" and "Confident", were released each a week and attained moderate impact on the charts worldwide,<ref>{{cite web|title=All Bad by Justin Bieber - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.co/song/81889|publisher=Acharts.co|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=PYD by Justin Bieber - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.co/song/82077|publisher=Acharts.co|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Change Me by Justin Bieber - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.co/song/81705|publisher=Acharts.co|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref> with "Roller Coaster" and "Confident" also reaching the top of Denmark charts,<ref>{{cite web|title=Roller Coaster by Justin Bieber - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.co/song/82439|publisher=Acharts.co|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Confident by Justin Bieber - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.co/song/82591|publisher=Acharts.co|access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref> and the latter also receiving a music video treatment.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ortiz|first1=Edwin|title=Watch the Music Video for Justin Bieber's "Confident" with Chance The Rapper|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/01/justin-bieber-f-chance-the-rapper-confident-video|access-date=December 1, 2015|publisher=Complex|date=January 29, 2014}}</ref>

On December 9, 2013, Bieber announced that the ten Music Monday releases would be packaged with an additional five new songs in a compilation titled ''Complete My Journals''. Although the album was initially set for release on December 16, 2013, the date was pushed back one week to December 23, as Bieber intended to include one more song on the compilation. ''Journals'' was available on iTunes from January 2, 2014, and all sixteen songs are available for purchase individually.<ref name="Billboarddec9" /> The track "Flatline" was available for a free download on the iTunes Store for a limited time, and was included as a bonus track on the Spotify edition.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 13, 2013 |title=BIG NEWS!!! Wrote another smash this week! Want you to have it! Making it a Christmas gift and moving #journals to the 23rd! So.... |url=https://twitter.com/justinbieber/statuses/411633986532700160 |access-date=December 23, 2013 |publisher=Twitter}}</ref> According to one of its producers, Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, the label did not support the album because it wasn't the direction they wanted Justin to go.<ref name=thefader/> It was initially only released digitally, but was eventually released on LP in 2016.<ref name="amazon.com"/>

==Commercial performance== In April 2026, following Bieber's headlining Coachella performance, ''Journals'' debuted at number 111 on the US ''Billboard'' 200 with nearly 13,000 album-equivalent units.<ref name="Billboard">{{cite web | last=Caulfield | first=Keith | title=Justin Bieber's 12-Year-Old 'Journals' Album Debuts on Billboard 200 After Coachella | website=Billboard | date=April 21, 2026 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/justin-bieber-journals-debut-billboard-200-chart-1236227490/ | access-date=April 23, 2026}}</ref>

==Critical reception== {{Music ratings |rev1=''Absolute Punk'' |rev1Score=(6.6/10)<ref name=absolutepunk>{{cite news|last1=John|first1=Nico|title=Justin Bieber - Journals - Album Review - AbsolutePunk.net|url=http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3636521|access-date=December 1, 2015|work=Absolute Punk|date=December 23, 2013}}</ref> |rev2=''Chicago Tribune'' |rev2Score={{rating|2|4}}<ref name = "Chicago Tribune">{{cite web|last=Gamboa|first=Glenn|date=December 23, 2013|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-justin-bieber-journals-review-20131223,0,7002087.story|title=Review: Justin Bieber, 'Journals'|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=December 23, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131224010304/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-justin-bieber-journals-review-20131223,0,7002087.story|archive-date=December 24, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> |rev3=''Fact'' |rev3Score={{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=fact/> |rev4=''The Los Angeles Times'' |rev4Score={{rating|3|4}}<ref name = "Los Angeles Times">{{cite web|last=Wood|first=Mikael|date=December 24, 2013|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-justin-bieber-album-journals-20131224,0,2109497.story#axzz2oPPQq2za|title=Review: Justin Bieber comes of age in 'Journals'|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=December 24, 2013}}</ref> |rev5=''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'' |rev5Score=(mixed)<ref name = "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"/> |rev6=''New York Daily News'' |rev6Score={{rating|3|5}}<ref name = "NYdailynews">{{cite web|last=Farber|first=Jim|date=December 20, 2013|title='Journals,' music review|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/journals-music-review-article-1.1554040|work=New York Daily News|access-date=22 December 2013}}</ref> |rev7=''Newsday'' |rev7Score=B-<ref>{{cite web|last=Gamboa|first=Glenn|date=December 13, 2013|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/justin-bieber-s-journal-review-haphazard-collection-1.6604992|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224122529/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/justin-bieber-s-journal-review-haphazard-collection-1.6604992|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 24, 2013|title=Justin Bieber's 'Journal' review: Haphazard collection|work=Newsday|access-date=December 22, 2013}}</ref> |rev8=''Spin'' |rev8Score=(positive)<ref name=spin/> |rev9=''Toronto Star'' |rev9Score={{rating|2.5|4}}<ref name = "Toronto Star">{{cite web|last=Rayner|first=Ben|date=December 24, 2013|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2013/12/24/justin_biebers_journals_aims_for_maturity_album_review.html|title=Justin Bieber's Journals aims for maturity: Album review|work=Toronto Star|access-date=December 24, 2013}}</ref> |rev10=''The Washington Post'' |rev10Score=(negative)<ref name="Washington Post"/> }} ''Journals'' met with lukewarm reviews, with most music critics noting his artistic growth. In a positive review, Mikael Wood of ''Los Angeles Times'' praised the "tunes that take up his evolving reputation with surprising candor" as well as the fact that "he's using that voice to confront the awkward aging-in-public process head-on." He also called the album "a come-to-Jesus moment that has nothing to do with Christmas."<ref name="Los Angeles Times"/> Jim Farber of ''New York Daily News'' noted that ''Journals'' "has a cohesion nowhere evident on the Bieb’s three previous studio CDs," while also praising the album for "find[ing] an energy in Bieber’s deepening personality" and the music that "finds him more fully engaged."<ref name="NYdailynews"/> Aimee Cliff wrote for ''Fact'' that the album is "a resounding achievement" and "trumps at every turn with its secret weapon: subtlety,"<ref name=fact/> while Brandon Soderberg of ''Spin'' called it "a cohesive, well-paced collection of narcotic R&B," claiming that the album's "elegance is conveyed via denser production choices and our host’s artful crooning."<ref name=spin/> Ben Rayner of ''Toronto Star'' applauded Bieber's voice, calling it "sufficiently well suited to the material that he can almost sell his new persona." Rayner also acknowledged that " tunes are often surprisingly interesting from a production standpoint," however he pointed out that "there’s too much of the same."<ref name="Toronto Star"/>

Niko John of ''Absolute Punk'' went on to write that "'Journals' is undoubtedly his greatest work to date and shows a more mature, sexual side to the Canadian pop-star. However, it is an experiment that at times works and at others feels like Bieber is trying way too hard to discard his boy image."<ref name=absolutepunk/> Sandeep Singh of ''Verdens Gang'' wrote that ''Journals'' is "neither a profound diary or a studio album it could have been [...] But this is undoubtedly the best Bieber has bubbled up to now."<ref name="VG">{{cite web |last=Singh |first=Sandeep |date=December 23, 2013 |title=Musikkanmeldelse: Justin Bieber - "Journals" |url=http://www.vg.no/musikk/artikkel.php?artid=10134333 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205111525/http://www.vg.no/musikk/artikkel.php?artid=10134333 |archive-date=2014-02-05 |access-date=December 24, 2013 |work=Verdens Gang |publisher=Schibsted}}</ref> ''The Washington Post''{{'}}s Allison Stewart offered a negative outlook on the project, writing that "Justin Bieber ends a bad year with a bad album."<ref name = "Washington Post">{{cite news|author-link=Allison Stewart (music critic)|last=Stewart|first=Allison|date=December 23, 2013|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/with-complete-my-journals-justin-bieber-ends-a-bad-year-with-a-bad-album/2013/12/23/956f18fc-6be0-11e3-a523-fe73f0ff6b8d_story.html?wprss=rss_entertainment|title=With 'Complete My Journals,' Justin Bieber ends a bad year with a bad album|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=December 23, 2013}}</ref> In his review written for the ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'', Piet Levy wrote that Bieber is "less an eager child than a confident adult, although when Bieber's flat come-ons are juxtaposed with seasoned R&B star R. Kelly on "PYD," it's clear that as a performer, he still has a lot of growing up to do."<ref name="Milwaukee Journal Sentinel">{{cite web|last=Levy |first=Piet |date=December 23, 2013 |url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/featured/justin-bieber-reminds-us-that-he-still-makes-music-b99169857z1-237095791.html#ixzz2om4lzfsz?referral=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jsonline.com%2Fentertainment%2Ffeatured%2Fjustin-bieber-reminds-us-that-he-still-makes-music-b99169857z1-237095791.html%23ixzz2oM4LZFsz |title=Justin Bieber reminds us that he still makes music |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |access-date=December 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224162555/http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/featured/justin-bieber-reminds-us-that-he-still-makes-music-b99169857z1-237095791.html#ixzz2om4lzfsz?referral=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/featured/justin-bieber-reminds-us-that-he-still-makes-music-b99169857z1-237095791.html#ixzz2oM4LZFsz |archive-date=December 24, 2013 }}</ref>

==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Journals track listing'' | total_length = 55:03 |extra_column = Producer(s) | title_width = 30% | writing_width = 40% | extra_width = 100%

| title1 = Heartbreaker | writer1 = {{hlist|Justin Bieber|Brandon Green|Tyler Williams|Tony Scales|Xavier Smith}} | extra1 = {{hlist|Bieber|Maejor Ali|T-Minus|Chef Tone}} | length1 = 4:21

| title2 = All That Matters | writer2 = {{hlist|Bieber|Jason Boyd|Andre Harris|Donovan Knight}} | extra2 = {{hlist|Bieber|Harris|D.K. the Punisher{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length2 = 3:08

| title3 = Hold Tight | writer3 = {{hlist|Bieber|Dominic Jordan|Jimmy Giannos|Boyd|Jamal Rashid}} | extra3 = {{hlist|The Audibles|Poo Bear{{ref|a|[a]}}|Mally Mall{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length3 = 4:15

| title4 = Recovery | writer4 = {{hlist|Bieber|Jordan|Giannos|Boyd|Rashid|Craig David|Mark Hill}} | extra4 = {{hlist|The Audibles|Poo Bear{{ref|a|[a]}}|Mally Mall{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length4 = 3:00

| title5 = Bad Day | writer5 = {{hlist|Bieber|Jordan|Giannos|Boyd|Rashid|Ernest Isley|Marvin Isley|O'Kelly Isley Jr.|Ronald Isley|Rudolph Isley|Christopher Jasper}} | extra5 = {{hlist|The Audibles|Poo Bear{{ref|a|[a]}}|Mally Mall{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length5 = 2:26

| title6 = All Bad | writer6 = {{hlist|Bieber|Harris|Boyd|Ryan Toby}} | extra6 = {{hlist|Harris|Poo Bear{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length6 = 3:01

| title7 = PYD | note7 = featuring R. Kelly | writer7 = {{hlist|Bieber|Robert Kelly|Sasha Sirota|Jordan|Giannos|Boyd|Rashid}} | extra7 = {{hlist|Sirota|The Audibles|Poo Bear{{ref|a|[a]}}|Mally Mall{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length7 = 5:17

| title8 = Roller Coaster | writer8 = {{hlist|Bieber|Rodney Jerkins|Julian Swirsky|Joshua Gudwin}} | extra8 = {{hlist|Darkchild|Julkeyz}} | length8 = 3:20

| title9 = Change Me | writer9 = {{hlist|Bieber|Harris|Boyd}} | extra9 = Harris | length9 = 2:43

| title10 = Confident | note10 = featuring Chance the Rapper | writer10 = {{hlist|Bieber|Chancelor Bennett|Kenneth Coby|Maurice Simmonds}} | extra10 = Soundz | length10 = 4:07

| title11 = One Life | writer11 = {{hlist|Bieber|Green|Scales}} | extra11 = {{hlist|Maejor Ali|Chef Tone}} | length11 = 4:02

| title12 = Backpack | note12 = featuring Lil Wayne | writer12 = {{hlist|Bieber|Dwayne Carter, Jr.|Nasri Atweh|Adam Messinger|Adrian Eccleston}} | extra12 = {{hlist|The Messengers|Sir Nolan|Kuk Harrell{{ref|b|[b]}} }} | length12 = 4:11

| title13 = What's Hatnin' | note13 = featuring Future | writer13 = {{hlist|Bieber|Nayvadius Wilburn|Coby}} | extra13 = Soundz | length13 = 3:28

| title14 = Swap It Out | writer14 = {{hlist|Bieber|Jordan|Giannos|Boyd}} | extra14 = {{hlist|The Audibles|Poo Bear}} | length14 = 4:01

| title15 = Memphis | note15 = featuring Big Sean | writer15 = {{hlist|Bieber|Sean Anderson|Friedrich Moritz|Thomas Pentz|Green}} | extra15 = {{hlist|Diplo|Maejor Ali{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length15 = 3:43 }} {{Track listing | headline = ''Journals''{{nobold|&nbsp;— Spotify edition bonus track}} | total_length = 58:43 | extra_column = Producer(s) | title_width = 30% | writing_width = 40% | extra_width = 100% | title16 = Flatline | writer16 = {{hlist||Bieber|Coby|Gudwin}} | extra16 = {{hlist|Soundz|Josh Gudwin}} | length16 = 3:39 }}

{{Track listing | headline = ''Journals''{{nobold|&nbsp;— 2023 expanded edition vinyl bonus track}} | total_length = 61:05 | title17 = Alone | length17 = 2:22 }}

{{Track listing | headline = ''Journals''{{nobold|&nbsp;— Amazon Music edition}} | total_length = 58:43 | title16 = All That Matters| | note16 = music video | length16 = 3:40 }}

{{Track listing | headline = ''Journals''{{nobold|&nbsp;— iTunes Store edition (bonus videos)}} | total_length = 64:08 | title16 = All That Matters | note16 = music video | length16 = 3:40 | title17 = ''Believe'' | length17 = 2:23 | title18 = Guatemala Pencils of Promise Journal | length18 = 3:02 }}

;Notes *<sup>{{note|a|a}}</sup> signifies a co-producer. *<sup>{{note|b|b}}</sup> signifies a vocal producer. *"Recovery" contains samples of "Fill Me In", written by Craig David and Mark Hill. *"Bad Day" contains samples of "Footsteps in the Dark", written by Ernest Isley, Marvin Isley, O'Kelly Isley Jr., Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley and Christopher Jasper. *"Memphis" contains samples of "Nights Off", written by Friedrich Moritz.

==Charts== ===Weekly charts=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |+ {{sro|2013 weekly chart performance}} !scope="col"|Chart (2013) !scope="col"|Peak<br>position |- {{album chart|Australia|35|artist=Justin Bieber|album=Journals|access-date=January 12, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|27|artist=Justin Bieber|album=Journals|access-date=January 12, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|54|artist=Justin Bieber|album=Journals|access-date=January 12, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Denmark|2|artist=Justin Bieber|album=Journals|access-date=January 12, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Finland|33|artist=Justin Bieber|album=Journals|access-date=January 12, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|France|174|artist=Justin Bieber|album=Journals|access-date=January 5, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Ireland|64|artist=Justin Bieber|album=Journals|year=2013|week=52|access-date=January 5, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- !scope="row"|Italian Albums (FIMI)<ref>[http://www.fimi.it/main/chart_id/1728 Classifica settimanale WK 52 (dal 23-12-2013 al 29-12-2013)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103151258/http://www.fimi.it/main/chart_id/1728 |date=2014-01-03 }} (in Italian). fimi.it. Retrieved January 5, 2014.</ref> |align=center|38 |- {{album chart|Norway|2|artist=Justin Bieber|album=Journals|access-date=December 31, 2013|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|UK2|46|date=20140104|rowheader=true|access-date=April 17, 2016}} |- {{album chart|UKR&B|3|date=20140104|rowheader=true|access-date=April 17, 2016}} |} {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |+ {{sro|2026 weekly chart performance}} !scope="col"|Chart (2026) !scope="col"|Peak<br>position |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|71|artist=Justin Bieber|album=Journals|access-date=April 28, 2026|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|68|artist=Justin Bieber|album=Journals|access-date=April 25, 2026|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|78|artist=Justin Bieber|album=Journals|access-date=April 28, 2026|rowheader=true}} |}

===Year-end charts=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+ {{sro|2013 year-end chart performance}} !scope="col"| Chart (2013) !scope="col"| Position |- !scope="row"|Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitlisten.nu/aarslister.asp |title=Album-Top 100 2013 |publisher=Hitlisten.NU. IFPI Denmark |access-date=June 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526051943/http://hitlisten.nu/aarslister.asp |archive-date=May 26, 2014 }}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|78 |}

== Certifications == {{Certification Table Top|caption={{sro|Certifications}}}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Journals|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2013|certyear=2022|access-date=December 6, 2022|id=11887}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Journals|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2013|certyear=2026|source=radioscope|access-date=February 10, 2026}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Journals|award=Silver|type=album|relyear=2016|certyear=2023|id=18864-2321-2|access-date=April 11, 2023}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Justin Bieber|title=Journals|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2013|certyear=2023|access-date=May 5, 2023}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

== Release history == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+ {{sro|Release dates and formats}} ! scope="col"| Country ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |- ! scope="row"| Canada | rowspan="2"| December 23, 2013 | rowspan="2"| Digital download | rowspan="2"| The Island Def Jam Music Group |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/journals/780021563|title=Journals by Justin Bieber on Apple Music|date=23 December 2013|website=iTunes|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| United States |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/journals/1440861853|title=Journals by Justin Bieber on Apple Music|date=23 December 2013|website=iTunes|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| United States | February 12, 2016 | rowspan="7"| LP | rowspan="7"| Universal Music Enterprises |<ref name="amazon.com"/> |- ! scope="row"| Canada | February 26, 2016 |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.ca/Journals-2LP-Vinyl-Justin-Bieber/dp/B019PXKQMO|title=Journals|date=26 February 2016|website=Amazon.ca|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| Germany | rowspan="4"| March 25, 2016 |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.de/Journals-2-LP-Vinyl/dp/B019PXKQMO|title=Journals|date=25 March 2016|website=Amazon.de|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| France |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.fr/Journals-Justin-Bieber/dp/B019PXKQMO|title=Journals|date=31 August 2016|website=Amazon.fr|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| Italy |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.it/Journals-Justin-Bieber/dp/B019PXKQMO|title=Journals|date=8 April 2017|website=Amazon.it|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| United Kingdom |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Journals-VINYL-Justin-Bieber/dp/B019PXKQMO|title=Journals|date=25 March 2016|website=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| Spain | April 1, 2016 |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.es/Journals-Vinilo-Justin-Bieber/dp/B019PXKQMO|title=Journals|date=1 April 2016|website=Amazon.es|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> |- |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Justin Bieber}} {{Authority control}}

Category:2013 compilation albums Category:Compilation albums by Canadian artists Category:Island Records compilation albums Category:Justin Bieber albums Category:Albums produced by Justin Bieber Category:Albums produced by Maejor Category:Albums produced by T-Minus (producer) Category:Albums produced by Poo Bear Category:Albums produced by Diplo Category:Albums produced by Rodney Jerkins