The music world is buzzing with fresh releases this week, with both established icons and rising stars delivering new sounds for fans to enjoy. Among the headliners are Justin Bieber, who surprised fans with a new album, and BLACKPINK, who have dropped a highly anticipated single.
Justin Bieber has released his seventh studio album, "Swag," marking his first full-length project since 2021's "Justice". The album's arrival was teased with billboards in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Los Angeles, followed by an Instagram post from Bieber himself revealing the tracklist. The 21-song album, released via Def Jam, features collaborations with Gunna, Sexyy Red, Cash Cobain, and others. Song titles include "All I Can Take," "Standing on Business," and "Forgiveness". The album is available on major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
"Swag" delves into themes of marriage, fame, and fatherhood, reflecting Bieber's personal journey. He and his wife, Hailey Bieber, welcomed their first child, Jack Blues Bieber, last year, an event that has profoundly influenced his music. Promotional art for the album features photos of Bieber with Hailey and Jack, underscoring the importance of family in this new chapter of his life.
Musically, "Swag" is described as a relatively stripped-down R&B-centered affair. One standout track, "Devotion," is co-written by Dijon and Daniel Caesar and produced by Carter Lang and Sir Dylan. Lang, known for his work with Rihanna, Doja Cat, and SZA, produced 20 of the album's tracks, while Sir Dylan produced 18, bridging Bieber's familiar sound with new sonic explorations. While some critics have given lukewarm reviews, praising the production but noting the lyrics are at times "inane," the album has resonated with many fans.
BLACKPINK has also made a splash this week with their new single, "JUMP". The song was revealed at the kickoff of their Deadline World Tour on July 5th. "JUMP" marks their first release since "THE GIRLS" in August 2023, which was part of the soundtrack for their mobile game, BLACKPINK: The Game. Prior to that, the group's last major release was the album "Born Pink" in 2022, which featured the hit singles "Pink Venom" and "Shut Down". "Born Pink" earned BLACKPINK their first Number One on the Billboard 200 chart. The new single has a Europop-tinged sound.
Other notable releases this week include Wet Leg's "Moisturizer", Amy MacDonald’s "Is This What You've Been Waiting For?", Burna Boy’s "No Sign of Weakness", Noah Cyrus' "I Want My Loved Ones to Go with Me", and Backstreet Boys' "Millennium 2.0".
