“Wandered to LA” is the second single off Juice WRLD‘s upcoming posthumous album, Fighting Demons. Featuring Justin Bieber, the track explores both artists’ relationships with drugs and relationships in Los Angeles. The single arrived just a day after what would have been Juice’s 23rd birthday.
“You have power over depression”
Juice WRLD passed away on December 8th, 2019 from an accidental overdose. Since then, his music has lived on in the hearts of fans all over the world. In the trailer for “Wandered to LA,” we see Juice open up about his mental health struggles and Justin admit to his unhealthy lifestyle habits. Juice WRLD’s friends are also present in the trailer, as they describe his multiple attempts to get clean and beat his addiction. The trailer emphasizes that no matter what struggles you deal with, you are never alone. Both Juice WRLD and Justin Bieber advocated for more conversations surrounding mental health, and “Wandered to LA” is the culmination of that.
A Sincere, Vulnerable Track
The track, like many Juice WRLD songs, is buoyant but sincere. Without listening to the lyrics, the track is a light-hearted mix between pop and hip-hop. Yet, “Wandered to LA” is a genuinely profound track that details both Juice’s and Justin’s everyday struggles. Juice’s verse recounts his easy access to drugs and continued addiction, as he sings, “Maybe it’s the love, maybe it’s the drugs / Maybe it’s because my girlfriend is the plug.” Justin’s verse describes his former heartbreaks and anxiety because of them. He sings, “Never wanna end up how we used to be / And I don’t wanna hear you say / That you don’t want to be with me”.
“Wandered to LA” is Refreshing
The vulnerability displayed on “Wandered to LA” is a refreshing divergence from the pride and vanity we often see in mainstream music. It’s this raw honesty that drew fans to Juice WRLD in the first place, and it’s comforting to know that other artists, like Justin Bieber, are carrying on his message. Juice WRLD’s second posthumous album, Fighting Demons, will be released on December 10th, 2021.
