
Justin Bieber returns with surprise album ‘SWAG'
The 21-track album, dropped without warning, dives into the Canadian artist's life like never before — touching on fatherhood, mental health, and fame's quiet toll. While it may not be packed with summer anthems, SWAG hits hard with raw emotion and honest storytelling.
One unexpected highlight is Standing on Business, a track that pivots away from the album's sombre tone thanks to comedian Druski's satirical take on Bieber's famously short-tempered beach encounter with paparazzi. It's already causing a stir on social media.
Other tracks, like Therapy Session and Forgiveness, strike a different chord. The latter closes the album with gospel singer Marvin Winans delivering a powerful, soul-lifting finale that addresses themes of redemption and healing. Bieber, in his own words, says, 'I've had to go through a lot of my struggles as a human, as all of us do, really publicly. And so, people are always asking if I'm okay, and that starts to really weigh on me.'
Fans were already concerned earlier this year after Bieber posted vulnerable messages online about feeling 'broken' and 'unworthy.' With SWAG, he turns that vulnerability into art, offering something of a sonic therapy session for himself and listeners alike.
Gospel artist Winans, reflecting on his collaboration, wrote: 'Congratulations for making a wild and deeply inspiring record. Am grateful to have been a tiny part of a beautiful thing.'
While hopes for a world tour remain high, any announcements are on pause as the artist continues to recover from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a condition that temporarily paralysed part of his face. For now, fans will have to settle for deep-listening sessions, headphones on and SWAG on repeat, waiting for the next move from the man who once sang Never Say Never.

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Muscat Daily
16 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Justin Bieber returns with surprise album ‘SWAG'
Muscat – Four years after his last album Justice, pop sensation Justin Bieber has returned — not with a tour, but with a surprise album titled SWAG. And this time, it's personal. The 21-track album, dropped without warning, dives into the Canadian artist's life like never before — touching on fatherhood, mental health, and fame's quiet toll. While it may not be packed with summer anthems, SWAG hits hard with raw emotion and honest storytelling. One unexpected highlight is Standing on Business, a track that pivots away from the album's sombre tone thanks to comedian Druski's satirical take on Bieber's famously short-tempered beach encounter with paparazzi. It's already causing a stir on social media. Other tracks, like Therapy Session and Forgiveness, strike a different chord. The latter closes the album with gospel singer Marvin Winans delivering a powerful, soul-lifting finale that addresses themes of redemption and healing. Bieber, in his own words, says, 'I've had to go through a lot of my struggles as a human, as all of us do, really publicly. And so, people are always asking if I'm okay, and that starts to really weigh on me.' Fans were already concerned earlier this year after Bieber posted vulnerable messages online about feeling 'broken' and 'unworthy.' With SWAG, he turns that vulnerability into art, offering something of a sonic therapy session for himself and listeners alike. Gospel artist Winans, reflecting on his collaboration, wrote: 'Congratulations for making a wild and deeply inspiring record. Am grateful to have been a tiny part of a beautiful thing.' While hopes for a world tour remain high, any announcements are on pause as the artist continues to recover from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a condition that temporarily paralysed part of his face. For now, fans will have to settle for deep-listening sessions, headphones on and SWAG on repeat, waiting for the next move from the man who once sang Never Say Never.


Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Justin Bieber releases first new album in four years called 'Swag'
Singer Justin Bieber has released his first new album in four years called "Swag". The 21-track seventh LP was released in a surprise drop on Friday and sees the singer reflect on his experiences as a husband and father, following online speculation around his marriage to wife Hailey Bieber. It comes after the 31-year-old began to post teasers on Instagram last night as mysterious billboards were erected in locations around the world, with the new album described as "some of his most personal music yet". In May this year, Hailey, who is the daughter of US actor Stephen Baldwin and has been married to Bieber since 2018, told Vogue that postpartum life had been "very difficult", describing constant internet rumours as a "crazy life to live". She said giving birth to the couple's son, Jack Blues Bieber, in August last year was one of the "hardest things" she has ever done after going through an 18-hour labour. Track titles on the new record include "Therapy Session", "Dadz Love" and "Devotion". "Swag" follows 2021's "Justice" album, which featured singles "HoldOn", "Peaches" and "Anyone", and was made in collaboration with Carter Lang, Dylan Wiggins, Daniel Caesar, Dijon, Daniel Chetrit, Eddie Benjamin, and Knox Fortune. The record is being released on the Def Jam Recordings label. The Canadian singer began his career in his early teens. He is best known for songs such as "Baby", "What Do You Mean" and "Sorry". Bieber has been nominated for 23 Grammy Awards and has won two, for best country duo/group performance for "10,000 Hours" with Dan + Shay and best dance recording for "Where Are U Now", recorded with EDM duo JackU, composed of DJs Skrillex and Diplo. Bieber also recently launched his clothing and lifestyle brand SKYLRK. —PA Media/dpa


Observer
28-06-2025
- Observer
After 'Dune,' Denis Villeneuve to helm next James Bond film
Fresh from his success with the "Dune" saga, Denis Villeneuve has been tapped to direct the next movie in the storied James Bond franchise, Amazon MGM Studios announced Wednesday. The online retail giant has chosen a filmmaker very much in vogue in Hollywood as he makes his first foray into the world of the now-iconic British agent 007, first brought to life seven decades ago by writer Ian Fleming. Villeneuve, who is Canadian, said he grew up watching Bond films with his father. "I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory," Villeneuve said in a statement released by Amazon. "I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come," he added. "This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor." There is no word yet on who will play Her Majesty's spy. Daniel Craig's final portrayal of James Bond came in 2021 following the release of "No Time to Die." Since then, 007 has seen many twists and turns. Amazon paid nearly $8.45 billion to buy legendary Hollywood studio MGM in 2022, which included distribution rights to Bond's extensive back catalog. But for the subsequent three years, the retail behemoth was met with resistance from Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, the franchise's historic producers who for decades had jealously guarded the governance of one of cinema's most valuable properties. The company run by Jeff Bezos finally reached a financial agreement with the pair in February to take creative control of the franchise. Some fans have expressed concern that the character will be exploited by Amazon through a multitude of new films, or spinoff series that go direct to its streaming platform Prime. Against this backdrop, the choice of Villeneuve, who also directed "Blade Runner 2049" and "Arrival," resonates as a pledge to purists. "We are honored that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond's next chapter," Mike Hopkins, head of Amazon MGM Studios, said in the statement, noting Villeneuve's track record with "immersive storytelling." "He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself." Villeneuve's two installments of science-fiction saga "Dune" were each nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. "Dune: Part Two," released in 2024, grossed $700 million globally and won Oscars for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. —AFP