.png?w=1920&resize=1920,1075&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 together with his longtime supervisor, quite a few reviews of him “crashing out,” and little or no new music to distract us from this, Bieber lastly silenced critics in July together with his blissed-out comeback document SWAG. It’s his finest work in a decade, a set of soulful ballads and rap linkups that has the genuine, homespun appeal of a mixtape. Improbably, with lower than 24 hours’ discover, we discovered 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 luxurious second half of one of the shocking popstar transformations in latest reminiscence. Listed below are 5 key takeaways.
Similar SWAG, Completely different Day
It is a correct sequel, not a closely marketed deluxe. These 23 songs have comparable 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 lot of songs within the vault that would’ve landed on both of those, however the 44 we received throughout these two information have been thought of one of the best. I’m certain followers could 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 buildings on the sequel, attacking them with a looseness that appears like reduction. Songs like “Unhealthy Honey” and “All of the Approach” nonetheless lean closely in the direction of R&B and gospel, however have a lot much less of an alternate skew. After breaking via what felt like inventive purgatory on SWAG, II looks like a victory lap, a celebration of his newfound freedom.
Stunning Options
Very similar to SWAG, Bieber’s visitor listing right here doesn’t embrace your customary copy-paste popstar options. He harmonizes with Tems on “I THINK YOU’RE SPECIAL,” offers 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 together 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, just lately had a child. I’ve been advised childbirth can carry 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 type of sounds just like the nine-year-old in church who’s compelled to learn an extended piece of scripture on Easter. He speaks in regards to the story of Adam and Eve, the tree of data, good and evil, the connective tissue between animals and human beings, and the way the top is merely the start. It’s an extended however touching passage, and I a lot desire it to the Druski skits we have been force-fed on the final album.
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