Justin Bieber’s ‘Swag II’ released hours late after technical issues
'Swag II' FILE PHOTO: Justin Bieber performs onstage at the Coachella Stage during the 2022 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival on April 15, 2022 in Indio, California. Bieber dropped his newest album on Friday. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
By Cox Media Group National Content Desk
After a couple of hours’ delay, Justin Bieber’s next album was released on Friday morning.
Midnight Eastern time came and went, then midnight on the West Coast hit without new music, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Bieber took to social media to explain there were technical difficulties, writing, “It’s cominggggg” and sharing texts between him and his manager, David Waltzer.
Eventually, the 44-song, 2-hour and 11-minute album did drop on Apple Music, Amazon Music and Spotify, among others.
“Swag” was released in July and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, and peaked at No. 1 on the Top R&B Albums list.
The new album, however, is said to have a more pop-inspired sound, the publication said.
“Swag” was his first album in four years, Variety reported.
Over his career, Bieber has released eight studio albums, including “Swag II,” with the seven previous hitting No. 1 on the U.S. album charts. He has had eight No. 1’s on the Hot 100 chart, Billboard reported.
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2009: Musician Justin Bieber visits the Nintendo World Store on September 1, 2009, in New York City. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2009: Usher and Justin Bieber perform onstage during Z100's Jingle Ball 2009 at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2009, in New York City. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2010: Singer Justin Bieber poses in the press room with his award for Best New Artist during the MTV Video Music Awards at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on September 12, 2010, in Los Angeles. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2011: Singer Justin Bieber accepts the Do Something Music Artist award onstage during the 2011 VH1 Do Something Awards at the Hollywood Palladium on August 14, 2011, in Hollywood, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2012: Justin Bieber poses as he arrives at NRJ Music Awards 2012 at Palais des Festivals on January 28, 2012, in Cannes, France. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2013: Singer/producer Justin Bieber (left) and mother Pattie Mallette attend the premiere of Open Road Films' "Justin Bieber's Believe" at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on December 18, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2014: In this handout photo provided by Miami-Dade Police Department, pop star Justin Bieber poses for a booking photo at the Miami-Dade Police Department on January 23, 2014, in Miami, Florida. Justin Bieber was charged with drunken driving, resisting arrest and driving without a valid license after Miami Beach Police said the pop star was street racing. (Miami-Dade Police Department via Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2015: Justin Bieber attends the "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015, in New York City. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2016: Justin Bieber performs during the 2016 Purpose World Tour at Staples Center on March 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2017: Musician Justin Bieber reacts during the 2017 NHL All-Star Celebrity Shootout as part of the 2017 NHL All-Star Weekend at STAPLES Center on January 28, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2018: Canadian singer and songwriter Justin Bieber plays during the 2018 NBA All-Star Game Celebrity Game at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 16, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2019: Justin Bieber and wife Hailey Rhode Bieber watch Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden on April 23, 2019, in Boston. (Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2020: Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber attend the premiere of YouTube Originals' "Justin Bieber: Seasons" at Regency Bruin Theatre on January 27, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2021: Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber attend the 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon of Fashion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021, in New York City. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)
Photos: Justin Bieber through the years 2022: Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber attend the 64th annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)