14 DAY TRIAL // Justin Bieber’s new album, “Purpose,” is still one month from release, but he’s already been doing heavy promotion for it. On Friday, he also released the official artwork - and it’s already got him in some trouble in the Middle East and Indonesia.
The album has been banned here because the cover is too “provocative,” TMZ has learned. Shirtlessness and religious symbols don’t mix, so resellers here don’t want to help distribute a material that does just that.
You can see the artwork in the image above. Because he’s all grown up (and ripped now), Bieber is showing off his muscles and already impressive collection of tattoos. The problem is the huge cross on his chest, but the aforementioned media outlet says that the cover would have still been a problem even it if hadn’t been visible, because Justin isn’t wearing anything.
As per the same report, “Purpose” will come out with this artwork in all territories except these, which will get an alternate, less provocative version. No word yet on what that might look like, but Justin’s team is apparently “scrambling” for options.
“Purpose” will be out on November 13 and is the fruit of 3 years’ worth of hard work. It’s also meant to show Bieber’s growth as an artist, as he moves away from his image as a teen heartthrob.