Justin Bieber has released his seventh studio album, "SWAG," a surprise drop on July 11, 2025, featuring 21 tracks that delve into personal themes and include comedic skits with comedian Druski. The album marks Bieber's first full-length project since 2021's "Justice" and has garnered significant attention for its unique blend of music and introspective, yet humorous, interludes.
The album's tracklist includes several "therapy sessions" featuring Druski, who plays the role of Bieber's therapist and confidant. These skits have been noted by critics as adding a distinctive, often self-aware, dimension to the album. As the original tweet from The Free Press highlighted, "Justin Bieber just dropped ‘Swag’—21 tracks, some of them therapy sessions with Druski."
Bieber himself articulated a sense of vulnerability within the project, stating, "It can 'eel like I’m the one with issues and everyone else is perfect," a sentiment echoed in the album's more introspective moments. The album's title and promotional billboards featuring the word "swag" appeared globally ahead of its release, hinting at a return to earlier themes while exploring new artistic territory.
Critically, "SWAG" has received "generally favorable reviews," according to Metacritic, with a weighted average score of 65 out of 100. The New Yorker praised the album, noting, "Bieber has never sounded this wild, this expansive, this connected to something true." However, some reviews, like one from the BBC, described it as having "moments of brilliance," but also as "a cry for help," indicating a mixed reception regarding its overall coherence and depth.
The album showcases Bieber's R&B instincts and features collaborations with artists such as Gunna, Dijon, and Lil B. Its themes range from relationships and fatherhood to religious undertones. The social media commentary surrounding the release, including @SnoozyWeiss's observation, "Welcome to enterpainment," underscores the album's blend of artistic expression and public spectacle.