SWAG SWAG SWAG ON II

By Liv Dunleavy

Asst. Arts & Features Editor

Hi everyone, my name’s Liv and I’ve been a Belieber since 2009. I started seeking help when my friends and family noticed the delusion setting in and we had an intervention. It’s been a long road of recovery, but Justin and I are at a stage where I am totally normal about him in a way my 13-year-old self could never imagine I would ever be.

Listen, we might not agree on this, but hear me out. I’m not opposed to pleading and begging. I’ve spent 17 years passionately by this man’s side and I intend to keep it that way. The roller coaster (great song) Beliebers have been on since 2009 is never-ending and is not always a smooth ride.

I’m walking into this article assuming you, as the reader, know absolutely nothing about Justin Bieber. And that’s OK! Let me fill you in on what you’ve missed since you last heard “Baby,” “Boyfriend,” “Beauty and a Beat," or the Christmas classic “Mistletoe.”

There have been quite a few album releases since Justin left us in a hiatus in 2017 after his extremely successful “Purpose World Tour.” With “Changes” in 2020 followed by “Justice” and its successor editions in 2021, he established his presence in the music scene once again during and after the pandemic.

Bieber’s most recent album, “SWAG II,” is an amalgamation of feelings, features, and an honestly confusing mix of genres. It was released just 56 days after “SWAG,” the prequel album, and exists as the shortest period of time between any of his releases to that date. The two disc album consists of an astonishing 44 tracks in total - 23 new tracks alongside the 21 tracks from its sister album. 

There is so much to talk about I don’t even know where to start. My first thought was kind of embarrassing but I think many Beliebers felt similarly. I was like, “Oh my gosh! This sounds so much like Justin Bieber!” and then I started crying. It was an indescribable feeling.

This album has clear themes, crystal clear messages laid out in lyrics directed, aimed and fired at his target audience. Most of the album can be summarized in a few categories, but the main theme is his love for his wife Hailey. 

I recommend everyone pull up the album on their preferred streaming service and experience the full delight of “SWAG II” but if you are looking to save some time, I’ll help you navigate the album a bit.

First of all, just to reiterate, there are two discs in “SWAG II.” Disc 1 is the second album, the newest installment of Bieber goodness. If you are looking to go in order, start with disc 2. 

I think every song on disc 2 (or “SWAG”) is worth a listen, but rapid fire, the songs most popular in social media consist of “DAISIES,” “YUKON,” and “BUTTERFLIES.”

My personal favorites from that disc include “WAY IT IS” and “FIRST PLACE.” But I wanted to mention a few notable tracks and why this album has been such a large shift and changed so much for the Biebs. 

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He included a few tracks that were conversations with American comedian and actor Druski. These short clips included conversations surrounding Justin’s career and feelings on that topic.

I don't personally like these tracks as I feel Justin doesn’t get to speak his entire thoughts or really convey his whole feeling on the topic.

It feels like it is sincere, but I am really unsure if that is the point with Druski being there. He mentions how he feels the media is pushing what they want him to feel or act, mentioning his struggles of being a human very publicly and how it weighs on him.

And, again, it feels like in these short tracks Druski makes light of these topics, whether it be his mental struggles or his music style, I just don’t get the feeling of support from a track titled “THERAPY SESSION.” But then again, I think why would Justin put this track on two of his albums if he didn't want to, and I realize I am part of the problem and it's none of my business.

Anywho, off of the topic of that one small thing that makes me rate a gosh darn Justin Bieber album of all things an A-, let’s talk about some niche and so-sweet-your-teeth-will-fall-out Easter eggs.

In the song “DADZ LOVE,” written for his son, Jack, he samples a drum solo from when Justin was 2. It is a clip that has circulated the internet since forever and makes Beliebers melt every time. 

When the album came out, all of us collectively sobbed into our Justin Bieber life-sized cardboard cutouts. I assume every Belieber has one? Or two? 

Just me?

The second disc (“SWAG”) only scratches the surface of what Justin is capable of. His range of genres, writing credits, producing credits - I missed being in an active Bieber era. The R&B to soft rock, pop, hip-hop, and a genre of songs that should be sent into space for everyone to hear. I think we should just name them “Justin Bieber songs that saved my life.”

One of those songs is called “I THINK YOU’RE SPECIAL.” I have been listening to this on repeat almost the whole time while writing this article. Every song he writes is a gift but this song makes me feel like everything was worth it.

He has always been able to write in a way that it feels like he’s never just making up words, he means every word he says. His emotions and facial expressions show through his voice, and I don’t know if that has just been because I have been looking at his face and hearing his voice for 16 years but I swear it's like I can see him when I listen to these tracks.

OK, OK, enough of the sappy s***. Let's talk about some upbeat tracks you can blast in the car and feel like you're listening to Bizzle again.

“POPPIN MY S***” is like my anthem right now. I am indeed poppin’ my s***, any bad day becomes a good day when I hear that beat OK? And can we talk about “SPEED DEMON” now? I want to do a backflip when that song comes on, like the echolalia goes crazy. I literally don’t even know what “heat checking these chickens” means but I am doing that also.

There’s just too many tracks to cover in one article, so scan the QR code in my mix to hear my top 15 tracks!

Rating: A-

Don’t stop Beliebing!