2xLP

An album appearing without a traditional pre-release campaign indeed signifies swag, but the term seems an odd title for Justin Bieber's seventh full-length. It's not only that the singer announced over three years earlier that it was forthcoming, or that he further teased listeners during the interim. With rare exception, Swag is about doe-eyed seduction, loyalty, humility, and faith. Moreover, "Swag" itself hardly shows Bieber embracing the term as he did in the early 2010s -- ironically, he's the hook man on the song, and it's featured guest Cash Cobain demanding to be called "swag king." Production-wise, this is a departure for Bieber. Carter Lang, often joined by cohorts Dylan Wiggins and Eddie Benjamin, co-produces 20 of 21 tracks, ensuring that the LP has meandering and oddly soothing qualities akin to SZA's Ctrl and SOS and Omar Apollo's Ivory. The addition of Dijon on four cuts enhances the album's sense of intimacy with softer-yet swirly/bristly touches. One 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. Take "405," a peculiar love song that sounds something like Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire" crossed with atmospheric drum'n'bass, where Bieber mumble-croons "You hit the gas/Spider-Man, Spider-Man on your ass." Apart from Lil B adding his positivity to "Dadz Love," the other featured voices, whether spoken, sung, or rapped, are unnecessary and sometimes inane. "Sweet Spot" in particular is a mismatch with an expectedly vulgar Sexyy Red. It desecrates New Edition's "Can You Stand the Rain" with almost as much force as Jeezy's swag-era "Sunny Days."

A1    Justin Bieber–    All I Can Take    4:08
A2    Justin Bieber–    Daisies    2:56
A3    Justin Bieber–    Yukon    2:44
A4    Justin Bieber–    Go Baby    3:15
A5    Justin Bieber–    Things You Do    1:48
B1    Justin Bieber–    Butterflies    3:14
B2    Justin Bieber, Gunna–    Way It Is    3:15
B3    Justin Bieber–    First Place    3:20
B4    Justin Bieber, Druski–    Soulful    0:37
B5    Justin Bieber–    Walking Away    4:04
C1    Justin Bieber–    Glory Voice Memo    1:25
C2    Justin Bieber, Dijon–    Devotion    3:54
C3    Justin Bieber, Lil B–    Dadz Love    2:25
C4    Justin Bieber, Druski–    Therapy Session    1:19
C5    Justin Bieber, Sexyy Red–    Sweet Spot    3:05
C6    Justin Bieber, Druski–    Standing On Business    0:50
D1    Justin Bieber–    405    3:33
D2    Justin Bieber, Cash Cobain, Eddie Benjamin–    Swag    2:30
D3    Justin Bieber–    Zuma House    1:23
D4    Justin Bieber–    Too Long    3:05
D5    Justin Bieber, Marvin Winans–    Forgiveness    1:31