Justin Bieber’s New Album: A Return to “Swag” or a Mask for Deeper Struggles?
Justin Bieber has made a bold return with his new album, which he claims is all about regaining his “Swag.” However, behind the scenes, some close sources suggest that the pop star may not be as confident or composed as he appears. The album, released on July 11, was accompanied by a photoshoot featuring Bieber, his wife Hailey, and their 11-month-old son Jack Blues, who looks stylish and full of attitude. Yet, there are signs that things may not be as smooth as they seem.
Sources have pointed to several issues that could be affecting Bieber’s mental state and personal life. These include conflicts with paparazzi, public arguments between him and Hailey online, and concerns about his erratic behavior. Some worry that he might relapse into drug use, especially in the months leading up to the album’s release.
A source close to Bieber told Page Six that he doesn’t handle fame well. “Imagine being 14 and famous and people either love you for no reason just because you’re who you are, or they hate you? There’s not a lot of in between,” the source said. “A lot of people wouldn’t deal well with that to begin with. It breaks a lot of people. I’m concerned about him.”
Another celebrity insider echoed these sentiments, noting that Bieber still has underlying issues. This comes after four years since his last album, “Justice,” and a period where he had to step away from a world tour due to health concerns in 2022. Now, as a new father, Bieber seems to have mellowed, but his new album, “All I Can Take,” includes some introspective moments.
In one of the skits featured on the album, Bieber collaborates with comedian Druski to explore his public image. In a scene titled “therapy sessions,” Druski plays the role of his counselor, and Bieber reflects on the pressure of being in the spotlight. “What’s been a tough thing for me recently, is feeling like I have had to go through a lot of my struggles as a human, as all of us do, really publicly,” he says. “And so people are always asking if I’m OK, and that starts to really weigh on me.”
The source familiar with Bieber also noted that his social media posts leading up to the album drop reflected a sense of being lost and lashing out. “If you have a friend and they’re posting [like that], I can tell he’s angry just by looking at his posts. He has mood swings – he’s kind of an extreme personality in that sense,” the source said.
Bieber also touches on marital issues with Hailey in the song “Walking Away,” where he sings, “Days go by so fast, don’t wanna spend them with you / So tell me why you’re throwing stones at my back / You know I’m defenseless.” The couple has been careful to keep their son, Jack Blues, out of the public eye, which has raised questions about why they included him in the album art, albeit with his face hidden.
Since his last album, Bieber has undergone a major change in his career, including parting ways with his long-time manager, Scooter Braun, in 2023. Braun, who helped take Bieber from a YouTube busker to a global phenomenon, has praised the new album as “the most authentically Justin Bieber album to date.” He even encouraged fans to support the artist by streaming “Swag.”
However, their relationship was reportedly strained after it emerged that Bieber owed a $31 million settlement to Braun following the cancellation of the 2022 “Justice” tour. The tour was canceled after Bieber developed facial paralysis from Ramsay Hunt syndrome. On July 10, the two reached a settlement agreement, according to TMZ.
Despite these challenges, the family’s finances remain strong, thanks to Hailey’s Rhode beauty brand, which struck a $1 billion deal with e.l.f. Cosmetics. While Hailey has denied helping with her husband’s financial obligations, sources say the brand is separate from her business affairs.
There is still uncertainty about whether Bieber will tour in support of the new album, given the global expansion of Hailey’s company. The family recently took a whirlwind trip to Europe right after the album’s release, which is typically a critical time for promotion.
Those close to Bieber believe he needs to perform again, as it is a place where he feels most validated. “He needs to perform,” a celebrity insider said. “What is his game plan? He’s going to have to figure out what’s next, unless he wants to be a stay-at-home dad while his wife is running her billion-dollar company.”
Hailey, for her part, has taken a humorous approach to the album’s release, sharing a photo on social media of a billboard promoting the album, captioned “Is it finally clocking to you f–king losers?” — a reference to a recent viral rant at the paparazzi.
Despite the challenges, those close to Bieber believe he has a solid support system. “It breaks a lot of people. You have to have a very strong support system,” one source said.