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The Dijon Effect: Inside the Artist’s Quiet Takeover of Pop Music
Justin Bieber Teases a New Era
In May 2024, Justin Bieber shared news of his first child on the way with a video clip featuring Hailey Bieber showing off her baby bump, paired with a snippet of a heartfelt acoustic singer-songwriter ballad dedicated to his wife. The song caught the attention of fans as it teased a new sonic era for the generational pop star.
That song was “DEVOTION,” the Dijon written and produced track features his signature R&B-infused indie-folk sound. The track serves as an introduction to an even greater collaboration between the two in Bieber's seventh studio album, SWAG. The project arrived as a surprise release after almost a year of Bieber teasing new music and collaborations on Instagram. His first album since 2021, fans have been anticipating new music from the Beibs.
Dijon’s Contributions and Greater Influence on SWAG
The album bears Dijon's fingerprints all over it, writing and producing four tracks on the project. But his influence is featured throughout the album. SWAG is Bieber’s take on Dijon's indie-R&B coalesced with his adept pop sensibilities, making for one of Bieber's most complete albums to date.
Mk.gee and Dijon tackle writing and production on "DAISIES," a lively pop anthem filled with Dijon's inspired songwriting and Mk.gee's distinctive guitar tones and rhythm. The collaboration was long-awaited by many Mk.gee fans as the New Jersey multi-instrumentalist teased an upcoming collaboration with Bieber in a September 2024 New York Times article, expressing his desire to continue evolving his artistry, saying,
"Experimentalism has no meaning unless it’s done on the grandest scale, that's the promise of pop music."
Dijon also lends his pen to the tracks “YUKON,” and “THINGS YOU DO,” continuing to contribute that celestial neo-soul inspired vibe to match Biebers pop-centric R&B crooning. The laid back yet musically ambitious tracks set the tone for the album’s musical soundscape .
Dijon Explodes onto the Indie Scene
Following a series of singles and his 2019 EP, Sci Fi 1, Dijon was recognized as an artist to look out for in online music communities. His unique approach to songwriting and instrumentation placed him in a category of his own, with his reminiscent yet ambitiously forward-thinking ballads, blurring the lines between genres seamlessly.
In 2021, Dijon would drop his critically acclaimed debut album, Absolutely. The album sent shockwaves throughout the indie community for its impassioned lyricism, cohesive sonic language, and the persistent exhibition of soul expressed through the music. Absolutely is a showcase of intentional and inspired song-making.
Dijon’s signature style would go on to permeate the indie scene through both collaboration and imitation. His work with frequent collaborators Mk.gee and Bon Iver only sharpens his dexterity in songwriting, solidifying him as not only an artist but an elite-level producer and tastemaker for what the future of indie and pop music holds.
What’s Next For the Sound of Pop Music
It’s no secret now that the lines between the mainstream and the underground has been blurred due to the everchanging musical landscape developed in music’s streaming era. Dijon’s DIY foundation allows him the space to create deeply personal and relatable music, connecting with a community of intently dedicated supporters.
His sound continues to influence the indie space. Artists like Orion Sun, Roy Blair, and Current Joys have expressed their reverence for Dijon’s music and creative prowess. As he continues to blur genre with his enate gift for production, Dijon and like-minded artists will continue to break down the walls between the indie and pop world.
With the release of Justin Bieber’s SWAG, Dijon’s presence will only continue to grow, making him the quintessential representative of contemporary pop production, stating his claim as your favorite artist’s favorite artist.
