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- Summary: The surprise release from Justin Bieber features 21 tracks and guest appearances by Eddie Benajamin, Cash Cobain, Dijon, Druski, Gunna, Lil B, and Sexyy Red.
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- Record Label: Def Jam
- Genre(s): R&B, Pop/Rock
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Score distribution:
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Positive: 8 out of 15
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Mixed: 7 out of 15
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Negative: 0 out of 15
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Jul 22, 2025Swag is a happy medium between an imitation of Bieber’s idols and a recognition of his strengths as a pop artist.
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Jul 11, 2025The musical energy and imagination here is Bieber at his most confident.
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Jul 15, 2025For most of its 50-plus-minute runtime, Bieber appears, finally, entirely unencumbered. .... When Bieber dissociates into safe territory, alongside rappers Gunna, Sexyy Red, and Cash Cobain, on a trio of totally adequate but otherwise impersonal, paint-by-numbers R&B love songs, the specter of an algorithmic Spotify playlist looms. .... SWAG’s riskiest and most unexpected, are its most rewarding.
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Jul 11, 2025In the end, its sheer creativity and daring means that ‘SWAG’ (just about) justifies its breadth. 21-tracks of frequent daring, this Justin Bieber’s testimony, for better or worse.
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Aug 11, 2025One of those songs, "Daisies," also involves the unmistakable Mk.gee, and for Bieber it's a career highlight, a gentle rocker conveying an ultra-rare combination of anticipation, patience, and empathy. More often, Bieber's direct and inelegant wordplay is at odds with the hazy sonics.
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Jul 15, 2025As a whole, though, ‘Swag’ often feels poorly edited, its 21 tracks accumulating into a directionless slog. The production may have its moments, but the lyrics rarely deliver the depth to match.
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Jul 11, 2025Less the return of a pop titan, Swag feels like a cry to be heard. At times it’s uncomfortable, messy and a little confused – but perhaps after all this time, music is the only thing Justin Bieber knows will make people listen. Whether he has anything worth saying is another matter though.