Unbeliebable

After what seemed like the biggest anticipation for any music video in the history of tween pop, Justin Bieber finally released “Boyfriend” after not one, not two, but four previews of the much-hyped single.

The boy-icon had girls, guys and IDS desk editors alike squirming with the big reveal of the new and improved sexy Bieber, and following up with a video for the well-received track meant treading risky waters.

Much of his coming album depended on this release (or it did for me, at least). Bieber might as well have said, “Gotcha!” with greased hair and a stupid smirk. The video he had previewed was only a decoy to conceal his actual generic, much-less-sexy, significantly lamer music video.

With gaudy sports cars and distracting, over-styled women, Bieber made “Boyfriend” a dump site for music video clichés.

Little innovation was put into visual appeal, his coming of age or the dancing we know him so well for. The best part — not exaggerating — was Bieber’s pair of show-stopping, metallic gold shoes.

“Boyfriend” was a colossal letdown and, if anything, a step backward in Bieber’s trek to advance his credibility as a mature performing artist. With luck, though, there’s still time to recover.

By Francisco Tirado