Justin Bieber‘s long-awaited return to music has finally arrived, and with the latest release of his album Swag, many fans are saying the same thing about its distinctive new sound.
The surprise album, teased only hours before its arrival on July 11, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart with 163,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States, according to Billboard.
With the commercial success of the record, and standout tracks like “Daisies” and “Yukon,” a distinguishable identity emerges across its biggest hits.
Fans familiar with Mk.gee were quick to recognize the rising artist’s signature sound woven throughout the album.
Last year, Michael Gordon, who goes by Mk.gee, revealed to the New York Times that he would be collaborating with Bieber, though he kept the full extent of his involvement under wraps.
“Anything that comes out of his mouth: that’s pop music. You can really do pretty wild stuff behind that, just because it represents something,” Mk.gee teased at the time.
Bieber isn’t the only major artist who has recognized his unique talents. The long-haired, genre-bending musician has reportedly worked with an impressive roster of performers, including Omar Apollo, Bon Iver, The Kid Laroi, Fred Again and his frequent collaborator Dijon.
The rise of Mk.gee began in 2017 when he dropped his debut single “I Know How You Get,” followed by his EP Pronounced McGee.
While he’s released multiple projects since launching his career, his most critically acclaimed work came in 2024 with his first studio album Two Star & the Dream Police.
Music critic Anthony Fantano gave the album a “strong 6” rating, a number that sparked considerable debate among fans who felt the score didn’t reflect the album properly.
However, other established artists have been more enthusiastic in their praise, with some drawing comparisons to legendary figures like Prince.
Guitar legend Eric Clapton offered particularly high comments, once stating, “He has found things to do on the guitar that are like nobody else … like when I first saw Prince.”
What sets Mk.gee apart in the guitar scene is his experimental approach to the instrument, which has inspired countless musicians to attempt recreating his original style.
His technique often features staccato, chopped chords that create a distinctive sound — prompting music enthusiasts to flock to forums like Reddit to dissect and decode it.
With the success of his work on Bieber’s Swag album, it’s clear that Mk.gee is positioned to become one of music’s most sought-after collaborators — leaving some fans wondering what this means for his solo career.
