R&Bieber is back for his first album in four years: a 21-track collection that's both earnest and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
made a $200 million sale for his publishing catalog, had his first child, and severed from his longtime manager Scooter Braun.clocks in at 54 minutes on 21 tracks , with R&Bieber is full effect for much of it, leaning into the genre’s sweet spots , while also peppering the album with hip-hop, pop and some gospel.
He’s both earnest and not taking himself too seriously on the project, with Bieber flipping between love songs about wife Hailey Bieber on one track, then sampling some of some of his more meme-able moments confronting the paparazzi on the next.The result is perhaps a bit bloated at times, though an overall strong return as Bieber launches into his next era. Will it be a. “Don’t it feel good, don’t it feel nice,” Bieber croons as a synth-y keyboard riff channels a ’90s Michael Jackson vibe with bits of vocal runs.Gen Z’s guitar hero Mk.Gee had long been rumored to be working with Bieber on his new album, and we’re fairly certain he’s the one laying down the excellent guitar lines here. Regardless, this may be the best song on the album with the clever chorus — “the way you got me all in my head, think I’d rather you in my bed” — complemented by a sweet sounding snare drum to drive the rhythm.standout. “Yukon” flicks to SZA tonally, which would make sense given that her frequent collaborator Carter Lang has his fingerprints on the album. Also credited as a songwriter on “Yukon” is none other than Eminem, as the track references the rapper’s 2010 song “untitled” as Bieber sings “I can help you get a move on, like u-haul.”If any song is sure to get tabloid tongues wagging, it’s “Go Baby.” Bieber declares, “There’s my baby, she’s iconic” at the track’s start, which reveals itself to be a love song about his — complete with a reference to her makeup brand’s signature lip gloss iPhone case . But “Go Baby” is otherwise a very sweet ditty about Bieber voicing admiration for his significant other, an anthem spouses everywhere can get behind.Back to the guitar pluck, “Things You Do” is an understated vignette that features some of Bieber’s best vocals on the album as he flexes his range — from intertwining harmonies to a falsetto that makes the high notes sound easy.Kicking off with a sample of Bieber’s confrontation with the paparazzi three months ago — where the singer chastised the paps: “you just want money. Money money money money” — is an admittedly hilarious way to lead into a song called “Butterflies.” Like its title, this track flutters but never really lands.Gunna flexes versatility on “Way It Is,” delivering a melodic verse that perfectly captures the laid-back vibe of the song and strongly plays off Bieber’s vocals. As R&B records go, it doesn’t quite hook you with the chorus, though it does an admirable job in trying.Other than maybe the Beatles and 50 Cent, no artist owns the birthday theme, but Bieber is finna to try! Sadly, “First Place” doesn’t quite hit the mark — and maybe should’ve hit the cutting room floor.“You’ve got this soul on this album too. You kind of sound black on this motherfucker, man,” Druski tells Bieber in his first of three interludes, presumably meant to illustrate Bieber’s swag. “You played that last song, I said ‘damn. you’re more than 2 percent.’ On this album right here, I can hear the soul. Your soul is Black. Your skin white but your soul Black, Justin. I promise you, man. You sure you don’t want no Black & Mild?”Another Hailey-inspired track that’s sure to spur deep analysis, Bieber sings about relationship issues that have played out on social media as well as in the privacy of their home. “You are my diamond, gave you a ring,” Bieber croons, further affirming that he will stay devoted to wife and keep the promises he made about changing himself.Gospel-tinged “Glory Voice Memo,” presumably recorded on a phone, is as low-fi as it gets. Featuring just Bieber, a lightly-distorted guitar, percussion and brief smidge of piano, it’s the biggest sonic departure from the rest ofThis collaboration with Dijon makes for the chillest, most vibey song on the album. The fleeting slide guitars in the background coupled with the light drums and layered vocals give of the air of a carefree summer day. It’s beautiful.A feature from Lil B is perhaps the most unexpected part of this whole album. Past that, “Dadz Love” is among the most forgettable tracks on the record.“That’s been a tough thing for me recently, feeling like I have to go through a lot of my struggles as a human as all of us do really publicly,” Bieber tells Druski in a much more earnest interlude than the first one. “People are always asking if I’m ok, and that starts to really weigh on me. It starts to make me feel like I’m the one with issues and everyone else is perfect.” His self-exploration, he seems to affirm, is a work in progress.The raunchiest lyrics on Swag can be found in “Sweet Spot,” thanks to a Sexyy Red rap verse that mentions “coochie” no fewer than six times. “Freaky bop” aside , the feature feels misplaced, coming in very abruptly and giving little room for Bieber’s vocals to breath. In the end, Sexyy distracts from the song more than adds to it.This final Druski conversation has the pair giving director’s commentary on what’s accidentally become one of the most iconic memes of the year. A cheeky inclusion that shows Bieber doesn’t need to take himself too seriously, why not lean into it?Seemingly named after L.A.’s infamous bumper-to-bumper freeway, “405” leans into dreamy etherial vocals and a fast-paced drum beat that makes this song perfect for a late-night drive .Cash Cobain delivers on the title track, which is the most hip-hop-driven song on the album, and one of the collection’s best, though it’s Eddie Benjamin’s vocals that really steal the show.short vignettes, almost an interlude, with Bieber confessing to insecurities he’s shared publicly — sample lyric: “if I let you down, would you forgive me?” — but at one minute and 23 seconds, the track fades out about as quickly as it starts.services) takes the listener back to MJ territory as the singer laments an unknowing conflict. It’s another attempt at classic R&B, but occasionally nasal-sounding vocals fall too short., leaving the last word to the pastor Marvin Winans. It’s on brand for Bieber, whose faith has always played a role in his music and message. “You came from Heaven to Earth, to show the way / From the Earth to the cross, my sinful debt to pay,” Winans preaches asIt’s Your Last Chance to Score This Bestselling Creme de la Mer Alternative for 50 Percent Off at Prime Day. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the GoogleThe Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2025 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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