Justin Bieber announced Thursday that "Swag II," a follow-up to his July surprise album "Swag," will be released Friday at midnight.
Bieber posted the release artwork on Instagram — a pale-pink background with the text "Swag II" in the center — and shared an image of himself with his wife, model Hailey Bieber (nee Baldwin), and their infant son, Jack Blues Bieber. "Swag II Tonight Midnight," he wrote in the caption.
Little else about the forthcoming release was revealed in the post. Bieber surprised listeners in July when he released his seventh studio album, "Swag," hours after teasing it on billboards and social media; that album spanned 21 tracks and explored themes of love, life and fatherhood. Among the songs that drew attention from critics and listeners were "Daisies," an alt-R&B slow burn built on lo-fi guitar, "Go Baby," a celebratory track about his wife, and "Devotion."
The quick announcement continues a pattern of surprise projects from mainstream pop artists who use social media teases and late-night drops to reach fans directly. As with the July release, details such as track list, features and production credits for "Swag II" were not included in Bieber's announcement, and the streaming platforms had not posted a full listing at the time of his post.
Bieber, who rose to fame as a teen pop sensation, has in recent years blended pop and R&B influences and addressed major life changes in his work, including marriage and fatherhood. "Swag II" will arrive amid ongoing public interest in his musical evolution and personal life; more concrete information about the album is expected once it is available on digital platforms and in official press materials.