Aiming at Xmas #1 :D

At least it's this Christmas and not 2026

It’s nice.Don’t think there is a hit single on there but the album as a whole is nice

Really enjoying this album, its already in my top 5 along with mayhem, Loud please, virgin and American heart.

Would have been elrfect being released September time tho with the weather changing

Nice reference to 2012's Boyfriend

Really enjoying this now I've listened a few times, I think the quality tails off towards the end, but the first half is really strong. Kind of feels like a male SZA album with real sprinklings of MJ throughout. Agree there is no massive hit single here though unless one of the songs manages to go viral somewhere. I quite like some of the interludes where they address his recent media troubles.. I always hark back to listening ti Liam Payne on a few podcasts where he says he'd love to sit down with Justin Bieber to discuss his experiences during those 2011-2015 years.

I feel like the Scooter Braun split completely passed me by as well.

Okay after some time this is firmly my favourite album this year, SWAG it is. Elements of purpose and cohesive (after removing the interludes)

SWAG - Justin Bieber - Mellope Album Review

1. All I Can Take (4/10)

A summery-ish, slow-moving song where Justin's tuning doesn't really add to the song, and as a whole the song feels flat-out dull.

2. DAISIES (5.2/10)

Bland R&B with some guitar that doesn't give much but only matches the R&B energy. The small save for me was Justin's vocals providing the signature smoothness that Bieber is known for.

3. YUKON (7.2/10)

Ok, we're working with something. The way the mix started was making me think that this was going to be another lazy "DAISIES"-type "ballad, but instead I think the mixing went well. Of course, this still is kind of basic, but it has a sweetness to it with the feminine slow vocals on top of the acoustic love song. It all felt ever so simple, but it still had a bit of Justin's charm.

4. GO BABY (6.9/10)

This felt heartfelt, and whilst it has an appeal of meaning, I think critically speaking this isn't his finest work. I'll take it, though.

5. Things You Do—Justin Bieber (7.8/10)

"Things You Do" talks about the weight small things can have in a relationship; it does this in a similar formation to the rest of the album, but in a simplicity that can be sweet. A good song for sleeping.

6. BUTTERFLIES (7/10)

The song starts with Justin's viral "Money" clip where he tells paparazzi that they just care about money; the song then goes into a light and easy listen that includes a more pop-friendly side of Justin.

7. WAY IT IS (Ft. Gunna) (7.9/10)

I like this type of Gunna better; he feels more composed at a relaxed level where you can really process the song and soak it in, and I genuinely think this was a good rap feature. He helped bring out a weightlessness feel, not as much as Bieber, but he still did.

8. FIRST PLACE (7.6/10)

Another song about relationships where Justin feels like he has somewhat of a passion in the music, I feel like some of these tracks (like this one) are trying for the lyrical appeal.

9. SOULFUL (Ft. Druski) (4/10)

A less than 40-second yapping session where Druski repeatedly mentions how Justin got soul and that he's got a black soul... whatever that's supposed to mean.

10. WALKING AWAY (6.5/10)

A guitar-drum pattern that uses simple instrumental forms along with vocals that don't feel amongst the most natural from him, but despite that there's still some form of comfort here that makes me partially enjoy this.

11. GLORY VOICE MEMO (4/10)

This kind of does sound as if it was recorded on a worse device, with the shakiness and sound quality sounding a lot less than the others. This felt like a segment that could be taken off "SWAG."

12. DEVOTION (Ft. Dijon) (7.7/10)

It's like something from "Shawn" by Shawn Mendes but with a slow rhythm twist. A very dreamy acoustic song that sounds good for sleep, pretty walks, or a comfortable moment. Instead of trying to add a rap feature or make it something it's not, the track and feature both feel like they have devotion to making something that truly highlights their vocal composure in a very real way; this song feels like a warm hug.

13. DADZ LOVE (Ft. Lil B) (7/10)

Just over two minutes of more relaxing soul where Lil B keeps up the pace in a good way; I also believe this is my first listen to Lil B.

14. THERAPY SESSIONS (Ft. Druski) (7/10)

Hot take, but I thought this was a good interlude. It's short but just the right length and conveys a message of constantly being asked if you're OK, which starts to make you not feel OK. This is all done in a friendly and light-hearted conversation that adds a breath of humour and connection to the album.

15. SWEET SPOT (Ft. Sexyy Red) (3.8/10)

DAWG WHAT IS THIS??? 😭😭😭 The album was going down a lovely route, and then suddenly it comes to a halt with yet another artist featuring Sexyy Red, where she raps about putting male genitals up her butt, BUT WHY? Yeah… I can admit that Justin's lines had a little groove and the right amount of summer sexiness, but Sexyy came in so open with her lyricism that it doesn't fit the cuteness of the album but instead feels like a sex worker is going overtime on the clock and wants to get their job done ASAP.

16. STANDING ON BUSINESS (Ft. Druski) (6/10)

Druski is a really funny guy; I mean, it's a sped-up clip of Justin's "Standing on business" video followed by Druski making a joke about how he pronounces it "Bihness." I'm sorry, but the joke actually slapped 😂. It doesn't fit the album, but I'll rate it since it's actually funny.

17. 405 (6.1/10)

It's what we've heard already but with a few more pop elements.

18. SWAG (Ft. Cash Cobain) (2.5/10)

What even is Justin doing at this point? "Swag" sounds like a bowl of nothingness, with mumbling on top of a generic mix that sounds like the overlapping complimented nothing. And Cash Cobain as a feature? I'd rather not.

19. ZUMA HOUSE (7.1/10)

Lyrically, with the simple-to-understand way and tone, it reminds me of Billie Eilish, and even production-wise a little bit too, but without the dark hints. The little mumble feels like it adds to the song's feel, and the slow production gives a sense of realness to it.

20. TOO LONG (5.9/10)

It's like "Yukon," but with more of a Chris Brown-ish kind of vibe and less sweetness; unexpectedly, it also felt repetitive of the current album's style.

21. Forgiveness—Mark Winans (8/10)

A shorter and more impactful ending that ends as a gospel outro, which doesn't feature Justin. The singing is soothing to the ears and has the heavenly factor too.

OVERVIEW:

The more I listened to this, the more apparent it became… the simplicity of the album is what fuels the emotions. When I finally wound down and took a walk, or just sat and chilled, I could finally appreciate the album a lot more, and those sweet moments where Justin was connected to the music. Sure, that doesn't make up the whole album, which is my problem, but from time to time you pick up on a sound and you just get it... you can feel the meaning and reasoning, and you feel a part of something special. Critically? Not his finest work. But I'll lay down the big critic perspective and back this a little. Not bad.

RATING: 6.5/10