Bieber's back and slowing down to smell the DAISIES

I have to admit that I was not expecting a brand new Justin Bieber album to drop out of the sky this week, but how could I be mad when a title like ‘SWAG’ can hold so much sincerity inside?

Going into it, I had no expectations or presumption about what it was going to be or what it was going to sound like. Which left me open to appreciate how refreshing the project was.

I'm not sure whether or not it's the nostalgia of Justin’s distinct voice and tone, or the fact that on songs like ‘DAISIES’, the production itself feels like it's intentionally uncomplicated. There's a frankness to it, and even with the interesting, almost clumsy transitions between verses, it somehow still works? The rhythm is never lost and there's something endearing about the fact that they let it be imperfect. You feel it, and that was enough for them. That's my best guess anyway.

Other standouts for me were ‘YUKON’, which was perfect for easy listening. It has this pitched-up vocal that carries the story and melody so well, it’s infectious. ‘FIRST PLACE’ reminds me of Michael Jackson’s ‘Human Nature’ in a way. Honoring the king of pop with his own twist. Then there are the interludes with Druski for comedic but honest exchanges between him and JB. It feels like you’re in the room with them. Tracks like ‘ZUMA HOUSE’ and ‘GLORY VOICE MEMO’ also feel raw and vulnerable in their unmixed unpolished presentation. I thoroughly enjoyed being surprised and drawn into each song for what they all uniquely had to say.

For an album with a title like ‘SWAG’ to contain so much depth in it, it’s hard not to enjoy a great intentional juxtaposition. There’s a contrast that occurs when you see something at face value and assume things to be true about it, only to realize that once you truly take the time to listen, you see that it was not what you thought it was.

That's why I feel like it’s worth checking out the rest of what the album has to offer. It’s a beautiful listening experience and has more soul and nostalgia than I was expecting. The producers and writers did a phenomenal job of blending classic sounds and synths that are reminiscent of older eras of pop and R&B, all while striking a wonderful balance of old school and new school on this project.

If I leave you with nothing else, remember to stop to smell the daisies, and turn your SWAG on.

(I had to. It was right there.)

By: Caleb Williams

If you're an Apple muncher. Click here to listen to DAISIES and the rest of the album on Apple Music.