Justin Bieber’s ‘SWAG II’ goes long with 23 tracks, surprise features in tow
Written by Malik Perkins
September 17th, 2025
Source: Justin Bieber, Instagram
Justin Bieber didn’t hold back on SWAG II. At 23 tracks, the album stretches well past the length of most modern pop releases, yet it rarely feels bloated. Where July’s SWAG leaned darker and more experimental, this follow-up is all shine: big hooks, slick production, and a confidence that only comes from an artist who knows how to dominate a playlist.
The features alone show that Bieber wanted to keep listeners guessing. Nigerian singer Tems delivers one of the project’s standout moments on I THINK YOU’RE SPECIAL, her soulful tone folding perfectly into Bieber’s falsetto. Then come the curveballs: Hurricane Chris drops in on POPPIN’ MY S**,* bringing the kind of throwback Southern energy no one saw coming, while cult favorite Lil B turns SAFE SPACE into a playful, off-kilter highlight. Together, they give the record a sense of unpredictability that helps justify its marathon length.
Not every track lands — there are a few shiny mid-tempos that feel more like filler than must-plays — but when the formula clicks, it clicks hard. Songs like Speed Demon and Better Man lead with crisp drum programming and instantly memorable hooks, while late cuts like Everything Hallelujah and Story of God lean into spiritual flourishes that show Bieber stretching his sound.
And the numbers back it up: on Spotify alone, SWAG II pulled in about 34.65 million streams during its first day, with roughly 23.2 million of those coming from the newly released tracks. In an era when artists often cut things short, Bieber went long — and listeners showed up for it.
Taken as a whole, SWAG II doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel so much as prove Bieber can keep it spinning for 23 tracks straight. It’s an ambitious swing in an era when most artists keep things brief, and it largely pays off.
Verdict: ★★★★☆ — a sprawling, confident project where polished pop meets a few well-placed surprises.
