It follows recent online concerns about the singer's mental health after a confrontation with paparazzi. One notable video, filmed on Father's Day during the encounter, shows Bieber saying: "I'm a dad. I'm a husband. You're not getting it. It's not clocking to you. I'm standing on business."

The video was widely circulated and remixed online. Now, it not only forms part of the album's promotion but is also sampled in one of its songs, Butterflies. The phrase “standing on business” has become popular slang for standing up for oneself and taking care of responsibilities and ambitions.

With a run time of just under an hour, the freestyle album features collaborations with several rappers, including Sexxy Red, Cash Cobain, and Gunna. Its title Swag seems to hark back to Bieber’s 2012 hit Boyfriend, which included the line “swag, swag, swag, on you.”

Promotional images shared by Bieber show him with his wife, Hailey Bieber, and their son—at times holding him over his head. Fans and fellow artists have responded enthusiastically to the new music, which arrives four years after Bieber’s previous album, Justice.

US rapper Big Sean was among those to welcome the release, commenting on Bieber’s Instagram post: "Yes!!!!"

The album also comes amid ongoing worries about Bieber’s mental health. Recently, he has shared multiple posts about paparazzi intrusions into his privacy. His marriage has also attracted attention after a controversial social media post, where he celebrated his wife appearing on the cover of Vogue and later discussed an argument they had.

Lyrically, songs like Daisies, the second track on Swag, seem to allude to Bieber’s relationship, with lines like “falling petals, do you love me or not?” and “You said forever, babe—did you mean it or not?” Other titles, such as Devotion, Soulful, and Forgiveness, suggest religious themes that reflect Bieber’s Christian faith. (BBC / @lilbieber)