[RobynYoBank]

PopCrush:

‘Die in Your Arms’ is the new Justin Bieber song and the second single from ‘Believe.’ With a title like that, you may expect a somber, melancholy ballad. But nothing could be further from the truth, as it’s a neo Du-Wop jam!

‘Die in Your Arms’ is a backbeat-driven, mid-tempo, Jackson 5-style tune with a piano melody, handclaps and finger snaps. The track also boasts a universal, timeless appeal. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: The Biebs is growing up, mentally and musically, on ‘Believe.’

Lyrically, ‘Die in Your Arms’ is a song about that all-consuming passion and love you feel for someone. Being apart from said object of affection actually hurts and feels like the end of the world!

The Biebs croons: “If I could just die in your arms /I wouldn’t mind / Because every time you touch me / I just die in your arms / It just feels so right.” At that moment, millions of Beliebers are left to wish that Da Biebs is singing those words about them. It’s romantic, passionate and sweet.

When Bieber coos: ”I can’t live without my baby / Loving you is so damn easy,” he has taken another leap from boyhood to manhood. He’s emerged leading man at this point, no questions asked. It’s a journey whose first step was ‘Boyfriend.’

When the layered harmonies kick in at the end, surrounding The Biebs’ voice, the song sounds like an update of the signature Motown sound.

‘Die in Your Arms’ is sonically and thematically different than the sexy, hushed ‘Boyfriend,’ but like the single that preceded it, it shows a whole other side to the evolution of Justin Bieber. Swag!

4.5/5 stars

http://popcrush.com/justin-bieber-die-in-your-arms/

Popdust:

Not like there were too many people hating on Justin Bieber’s lead Believe single “Boyfriend”—the song debuted at #2 on the Hot 100 and had more rappers jumping on remixes of it than a ’90s Puff Daddy hit—but just in case, he decided to make “Die In Your Arms,” the album’s second transmission, “hater-proof.” At least according to manager Scooter Braun, who used the guarantee on Saturday when teasing the song’s release, also calling it his “favorite song on #BELIEVE” and comparing it to “old school MJ.” Bold claims all, but now that “Die in Your Arms” is upon us, we’re happy to report that we’re not gonna contradict him on any of them.

To be honest, though, we’d go a generation or two later than the Jackson 5 with our musical comparison, and compare “Die” to another family band of young’ns—Hanson. The sweet soul, immaculate production and sunny vibe of the song would’ve sounded right at home on Middle of Nowhere, and when Bieber’s doing his yearning-but-playful vocal thing, he actually sounds a whole lot like lead singer Taylor. Though Hanson might not inspire the reflexive reverence of “old school MJ,” we still mean the comparison as a compliment—pop/rock doesn’t come much more delectable than those early Hanson singles, and Bieber’s latest offering definitely hits at that same high level of craftsmanship.

The song is an attention-grabber from the get, with its gently gabbing organ hook (like The Doors if they went Motown) and admittedly very J5-esque “mmmhmmm,” “yeah, yeah” backing vocals and snapping paving the way for a rather funky drum loop and Bieber’s introduction: “Say you love me, as much as I love you, yeah / But you hurt me baby / Would you do this to me?” Bieber never really goes for the MJ-esque kill on the song, keeping things sweet and simple, crooning on the chorus “If I could just die in your arms / I wouldn’t mind / ‘Coz every time you touch me, I just…” The closest to Michael he really gets is on the song’s spoken ad-libs, interjecting “Ooh baby, I know loving you ain’t easy, sure is worth a try” (though in the bridge he contradicts himself, claiming “loving you is so damn easy”—continuity editor!) and, of course, “I’m gonna make you believe, girl!”

“Boyfriend” may have marked The Bieb’s semi-self-conscious transition into “adult” pop, but while “Arms” is more unapologetically young-sounding, it’s also the more mature, balanced and professional pop song of the two. It might not be as big a hit, and it certainly won’t spawn any catchphrases as good as “swag, swag, swag on you,” but all told, it’s probably the better song, and has moments (like the subtle but stunning harmonies on the chorus) that top any of the first single’s biggest thrills. (Would it have killed him (no pun intended) to throw Cutting Crew a bone, though? Just one small lyrical reference? Fine.)

4/5 stars

http://popdust.com/2012/05/29/justin...w-leak-review/

LA Times:

With his new tune, "Die In Your Arms," the barely legal pop juggernaut ramps up anticipation for his second album, "Believe," with the next in a series of pre-release singles. The first one, "Boyfriend," was a minimal sliver of futurist R&B indebted to Justin Timberlake and the Neptunes. But "Die In Your Arms" has a throwback filament glow that recalls the Jackson 5 and Motown at its most teen-friendly (which means -- it's really, really good).

The acclaim continues...

[Peep Show]

Didn't expect anything else

[waryofothers]

Legend in the making.

[chilicheese01]

I don't know, I personally hate it.

[Gomez]

Prince of Pop.

[RobynYoBank]

Added LA Times' opinion

[Calypso]

[BLaCKPoWeR]

I actually like this song. This is like the first Justin Bieber song I thoroughly enjoy.

[NOW]

This is the first song of his that I've truly liked since Baby

[UnusualBoy]

The song is great, really really like it!

[pika]

It's a good song.

[PurrKaty]

Originally posted by BLaCKPoWeR

I actually like this song. This is like the first Justin Bieber song I thoroughly enjoy.

Same

The new World song with Ludacris actually is good too. This album appeals a lot more to an older audience yet still holds his young fans

[Jennifer]

Popdust and Popcrush....lmao.

[MWB]

It's very good.

[SelenitaStan]

[brandnewdrew]

Originally posted by chilicheese01

I don't know, I personally hate it.

This.

[WarriorQueen]

Getting that critical acclaim

Originally posted by chilicheese01

I don't know, I personally hate it.

ok

[Versace]

Originally posted by chilicheese01

I don't know, I personally hate it.

.

[Gomez]

Why do people click on a thread for a song that they hate?

[QueenBLadyG]

What are they listening to?