2026 Grammy's Album Review: "Swag" - Justin Bieber

 

Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.

"Swag" - Justin Bieber

(Def Jam/ILH)

1) All I Can Take:

Despite a dreamy soundscape intro, the vocals come off as very whiny. Its almost like Bieber is doing a poor Michael Jackson impression.

2) Daisies:

With a funk intro, the vocals are improved from the opening track. A very catchy song.

3) Yukon:

The vocals are pitched or distorted. The lyrics are very cringe.

4) Go Baby:

A perfectly fine track, nothing spectacular lyrically.

5) Things You Do:

A short track, but with interesting instrumentals.

6) Butterflies:

There's a nice drum beat midway through.

7) Way It Is (w/ Gunna):

Back to a dream soundscape, but the whiny vocals return.

8) First Place: 

Justin sounds better in falsetto here. There's a nice heavy beat.

9) Soulful (w/ Druski)

10) Walking Away:

This is a back to form of sorts.

11) Glory Voice Memo:

His raw vocals really pop on this.

12) Devotion (w/ Dijon):

A slower track, this is very bluesy; "I promise to take my time giving you devotion".

13) Dadz Love (w/ Lil B):

More of an EDM vibe, its catchy but gets repetiive.

14) Therapy Session (w/ Druski)

15) Sweet Spot (w/ Sexyy Red):

The intro starts off smooth, but the writing (especially for Red) is just terrible and rather uncreative.

16) Standing On Business (w/ Druski)

17) 405:

Back to a soundscape vibe.

18) Swag (w/ Cash Cobain & Eddie Benjamin):

This track stalls out midway.

19) Zuma:

Another track showing Justin's raw vocals. This kind of sound is promising.

20) Too Long:

This comes off as somewhat experimental, particularly with the instrumentals.

21) Forgiveness (Performed by Marvin Winans)

I was dreading reviewing this album when it came around for this series....and while there were a couple bright spots, it was still a slog to get through. If there's anything super positive to say, it wasn't the complete trainwreck I was anticipating. Oddly enough, I got more out of the voice memos or tracks that were primarily Bieber's raw vocals. He doesn't need that whiny effect he sometimes puts on with his voice. (69.6)

Bad Bunny "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" - 84.5

Sabrina Carpenter "Man's Best Friend" - 82.4

Leon Thomas "Mutt" - 78.8

Justin Bieber "Swag" - 69.6