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Justin and Hailey Bieber are spending a celebratory weekend together, following the release of his first solo album in more than four years.
According to a source familiar with the creation of the album, the Grammy winner, 31, and the Rhode founder, 28, are celebrating Swag — and the fact that Bieber made the record on his own terms.
“Hailey was by Justin’s side for the whole creation of the album,” the source tells PEOPLE. “Everyone knows Justin as a star and a performer. They now get to know the artist that Hailey has known all these years.”
The source also shared that Justin felt like he was able to make the kind of album he truly wanted after parting ways with his former manager, Scooter Braun. The singer experienced a new creative process, in which he got to “run his own show” by choosing the musicians and producers he collaborated with and using only live vocals and instruments to create a more “stripped-down” style.
“Hailey supported Justin to follow his artistic instincts,” the source adds. “She helped him to trust himself and do what Justin knew he wanted to do as an artist.”
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Justin has wanted to do an album in a more candid style for years, the source says, but he didn’t have the opportunity to until he had gained control of his own creative direction.
According to a report from Rolling Stone, Justin reportedly has no regrets when it comes to parting ways with Braun.
“Breaking away from Scooter Braun and his team has been something that Justin has wanted for so long, and now that he’s fully free, he could finally share this album with his fans and with the world,” a source told the outlet in a piece published on Saturday, July 12.
“Having full creative freedom, sadly, is something new for him as an artist,” the source continued. “Not having to stress about creating the perfect single, or perfect album, allowed for him to create the best body of music he’s ever made.”
Justin and Braun, 44, worked together for more than 15 years before ending their business relationship in 2023.
Braun showed his support for Justin’s new music, calling his Swag album “beautiful” and “raw” in a post on his Instagram Stories on Saturday, July 12.
Def Jam Recordings
Swag, which is a mix of R&B, pop and experimental production that showcases Justin’s vocal style, has been described by some as his most personal record yet. While Justin has released collaborative singles over the past few years, this album marks his first full-length solo project since 2021’s Justice.
The album contains 21 songs with features from Gunna, Sexxy Red and more.
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A source previously told PEOPLE that Justin intended the songs to be “darker, more vulnerable and less polished” than his previous music, but “in no way depressing.”
“This album is a huge milestone for Justin in so many ways,” another source told PEOPLE following the release of Swag. “It’s the first solo album he’s released since becoming a father, and it’s the first time he’s produced sound that’s all his own. He was so excited for everyone to listen to his new music.”
