.png?w=1280&resize=1280,720&ssl=1 "5 Takeaways From Justin Bieber’s New Album SWAG II")
From the depths of the popstar doldrums, Justin Bieber has risen once more. After 4 years of controversy, a heated monetary dispute along with his longtime supervisor, quite a few stories of him “crashing out,” and little or no new music to distract us from this, Bieber lastly silenced critics in July along with his blissed-out comeback report SWAG. It’s his finest work in a decade, a set of soulful ballads and rap linkups that has the genuine, homespun attraction of a mixtape. Improbably, with lower than 24 hours’ discover, we realized this week he’d be releasing a follow-up, SWAG II.
Teased yesterday with some memes and billboards, Bieber formally introduced the brand new album on X: “swag II midnight tonight.” It didn’t drop at midnight, and lots of diehard followers (and this author) stayed up for hours, ready till it lastly popped up on streaming providers round 3:30 a.m EST. The sequel’s textures are brighter than the unique, however its ethos stays the identical: That is the music Bieber likes to make. With extra odes to his spouse, left-field collaborations, and stylistic dangers, it’s the splendid second half of probably the most stunning popstar transformations in current reminiscence. Listed here are 5 key takeaways.
Identical SWAG, Totally different Day
It is a correct sequel, not a closely marketed deluxe. These 23 songs have related textures (phrase to Mk.gee and Michael Jackson) as SWAG and sound like they have been created throughout the identical intense interval of inventive breakthrough for Bieber. I think about there are a whole bunch of songs within the vault that would’ve landed on both of those, however the 44 we obtained throughout these two information have been thought-about one of the best. I’m positive followers can have a area day rearranging them to their liking.
It Sounds Pink, Too
The place SWAG felt closely introspective, SWAG II is brighter and customarily extra enjoyable. Bieber sticks nearer to standard pop constructions on the sequel, attacking them with a looseness that appears like aid. Songs like “Unhealthy Honey” and “All of the Approach” nonetheless lean closely in direction of R&B and gospel, however have a lot much less of an alternate skew. After breaking by way of what felt like inventive purgatory on SWAG, II appears like a victory lap, a celebration of his newfound freedom.
Shocking Options
Very like SWAG, Bieber’s visitor listing right here doesn’t embrace your commonplace copy-paste popstar options. He harmonizes with Tems on “I THINK YOU’RE SPECIAL,” provides a verse to the English singer Bakar on the Michael Jackson-indebted “DON’T WANNA.” and lets his pal Lil B throw some spoken phrase over “SAFE SPACE.” Dijon additionally lends a hand on manufacturing on six songs. However most surprisingly (and successfully!) Shreveport, Louisiana, rapper Hurricane Chris, who had a second nearly 20 years in the past along with his hit “A Bay Bay,” joins Bieber on “POPPIN’ MY S***” for a show-stealing verse. I think about Bieber was deep in a regional rap rabbit gap on YouTube earlier than making the boss name.
Biblical Bieber
In case you haven’t heard, Justin Bieber and his spouse, Hailey, not too long ago had a child. I’ve been advised childbirth can convey dad and mom nearer to God, and this was touched on in SWAG (“GLORY VOICE MEMO,” “FORGIVENESS”), however taken a step additional on SWAG II. “EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH” is an ode to life—its trials, mundanities, and wonder alike. “STORY OF GOD,” although, is a sermon from Bieber himself, who form of sounds just like the nine-year-old in church who’s compelled to learn a protracted piece of scripture on Easter. He speaks in regards to the story of Adam and Eve, the tree of information, good and evil, the connective tissue between animals and human beings, and the way the top is merely the start. It’s a protracted however touching passage, and I a lot want it to the Druski skits we have been force-fed on the final album.
