REVIEW: Justin Bieber SWAG II
REVIEW BY: Maggie Barry
Justin Bieber released a full album titled SWAG II at the beginning of Sept. 2025. While this album does not surpass any of his past albums, it features solid songs that audiences should take a listen to, even if they are not a Belieber.
Repeating musical patterns include a groovy sound, an echo effect on the microphone, and a variety of featured artists that expand the demographic that Bieber would typically reach. The romance and love that Bieber has incorporated into the album can be heard from miles away, whether the passion is angled towards his new child, God, or his wife, Hailey Bieber.
This album portrayed the emotion of falling in love and wanting to stick with that person through thick and thin. While some of the songs sound exactly like other songs right before it and don’t add anything special, there are amazing tracks that really stand out for me.
The new release has seemingly rekindled Bieber’s love for music and has shared that with his audience; however, there are a few skips on the album.
The 2-disc album includes a wide variety of sounds and songs for all listeners to enjoy; here are some of the highlights.
Starting with the third track on disc 1, the song “LOVE SONG” begins to remind me of the Peanuts theme song.
“I wanna write you a love song, baby, I wanna write a good one you can’t stop singing to me,” classic lyrics, but still so cute. This song in concert would be so magical with the drums really being highlighted.
A common occurrence is Bieber emphasizing his smooth voice throughout this album, and I feel as though this song is a great introduction to that theme for the following songs. This song makes me, as a listener, feel like I want to fall deep in love with my soulmate.
Jumping to the eighth track on disc 1 with “EYE CANDY,” it includes more of an upbeat rhythm that will make you move your head.
“Way that this is going, it just feels so right. So, baby, let’s get focused, just enjoy the moment and I’ll keep looking on and on and on, because you taste so sweet when you look at me”.
I highlight these lyrics from the song because I deeply enjoy the meaning, or I love the way Bieber sings it. The fun effects he has added to his voice to really elevate the song were a smart choice on his side. The verses dive deeper into the song and a story, so it doesn’t sound so repetitive. I will have the post-chorus in my head for days after I listen to this song, and I think any listener will experience that as well.
Following “EYE CANDY” is the ninth track on disc 1, “DON’T WANNA” is insanely fun. Features the artist Bakar, whom I have never heard of, but this song has definitely convinced me to check him out.
The entirety of the song reminds me of a 2000s boy group, which I adore. The portions with just Bieber’s voice and some instruments are very enjoyable throughout the song. So sad how short the song is because I could listen to it over and over again.
The shortness of songs is a problem that continues through the album. Most songs are only 2 and a half minutes long, which is disappointing to say the least.
“POPPIN’ MY S***” is the thirteenth track on disc 1 that brings back Justin Bieber when he would wear only chains, wife beaters, and saggy jeans. Features Hurricane Chris, whom I also have never heard of, but I enjoy his voice with Bieber’s.
The pitch difference when he says “lil’ mamma wanna be right beside me” is a fun way to spice the track up. A fun song that is easily enjoyable to all listeners. Sadly, it was only about 2 minutes long.
Right after is the song “ALL THE WAY,” which is the fourteenth track on disc 1.
“Can we hold hands like we used to? Maybe we could dance in the living room”.
I miss listening to this song even after I had just finished playing it. The track reminds me of the passionate love songs from his albums Purpose and Believe. The high notes he hits in the song are electrifying and will want you to repeat the song for the rest of the day.
The final song that will be discussed from the first side of the disc is called “PETTING ZOO”.
This is the fifteenth track, and to be honest, I was a bit scared of this song before I listened to it, because what is the song going to be about with that type of title? Thankfully, I was delighted to hear a song that is one of my favorites from the album! It is remarkable how this song only has around 2-3 instruments and just his voice, but it does not sound empty at all. The layered voices fill the ears with satisfaction and don’t make it feel like anything is missing at all.
“All I know is I don’t wanna fight, so why we fightin’?” This track made me want to rip my hair out, along with scrunching my knees all the way up to my chest.
Disc 1 was filled with brand-new songs that had never been released before SWAG II was released.
However, Disc 2 contains all songs from the SWAG album, which was released on July 11, 2025. With the addition of the new songs from the previous disc, the same sound becomes a bit tiring to listen to. As much as I enjoy the songs, Bieber can only do so much with the same tempo and instruments. I think that the album should have just been disc 1, and SWAG stayed separate with the disc 2 tracks.
With the first five songs on disc 2 being ‘misses’, “BUTTERFLIES” breaks that streak with an intriguing introduction.
The echo on the microphone is back! I got goosebumps the first time I heard him sing the “butterflies” towards the end of the chorus. The beat ramps up at the second verse, mixing the song up to not sound so much like the ones before it. I think the song has a cute rhythm to it and will definitely add to a playlist that I listen to while doing my homework.
Skipping four tracks, the tenth song, “WALKING AWAY,” is one of the longest songs of the album, which I highly appreciate. His spikes in notes throughout the song are very fun to listen to.
“You are my diamond, gave you a ring, made a promise, told you I’ll change”, “Baby I aint walking away”.
The beat is very basic, but his voice makes up for it and adds something new to the beat. I can see myself driving in the car with the windows down, listening to this song, and somewhat screaming along. It is very catchy and easy to follow along with, but not a world-changer by any means.
“DEVOTION” brought chills up and down my body. The twelfth track on disc 2 is beautiful, and I believe that it is one of the top songs from Bieber’s discography. This song adds to the chilling instruments with a featured artist I have heard of, Dijon.
Bieber’s voice in this track just really fills the body up with a sensation that is unheard of. Dijon is a nice addition to the song, but it isn’t anything crazy. I do think that the voices work well together, but I could only focus on Bieber’s voice on this one. The instruments with the voices are truly magical. So happy it is one of the longer songs on the album.
The nineteenth track on disc 2 is titled “ZUMA HOUSE”. I can describe the song in one word: raw.
Raw guitar and raw voice. An equation for a beautiful outcome. Bieber is one of the artists that does not need much recording technology to sound good. A listener would expect the song to be very energetic due to the title, but after listening it is a complete mood shift from what was imagined. I really enjoy the song and can almost fall asleep instantly after the song. The notes that change and fade out are so pretty, I just really wish that the song went on for longer than it is, a common complaint as stated before.
“TOO LONG”, the twentieth track on disc 2, will be the last song mentioned as a highlight from the SWAG II album.
The instruments in this song, paired with his voice, are one of the most sensual combinations he has ever made with this song. It doesn’t even have anything outstandingly vulgar in the lyrics, but the message still comes across through the passion in his voice. Just by listening to the song, I can imagine the dancing that would be happening if he sang this in concert. Adding this one to a playlist.
Overall, while the album is long, the enjoyability for listeners is high and is recommended for the audience, no matter what their favorite genre is. Bieber continues to add hits to his name and has left his fans continuing to want more, just like he always has.
