NEW YORK — Teddy Swims finds himself in an exhilarating phase of life, with the arrival of a child on the horizon alongside the release of his newest album, “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2).” While he’s thrilled to discuss his upcoming music, Swims’ main source of excitement is undeniably his impending fatherhood.
“I’m eager to hear questions like ‘What’s your favorite color?’ … I really hope my son – or daughter – finds me cool,” mused the soulful artist. “I want my child to feel the same way about me that I feel about my own father,” he shared.
Swims, in an effort to keep the baby’s gender a secret from his partner, fellow musician Raiche Wright, skillfully alternated pronouns throughout the conversation. Yet, the joy he radiates about becoming a parent is hard to suppress. “I have to be careful about what I say! If I slip up, she’s going to be upset. But I’m genuinely thrilled!”
Simultaneously, Swims is launching his second studio album, which is now available under Warner Records. This new release follows his 2023 debut titled “Part 1,” which chronicled the tumultuous journey of heartbreak and problematic relationships, reaching No. 17 on the Billboard 200. The success of the standout single “Lose Control” propelled the first album, making its follow-up intriguing given the title “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2).”
“We’ve engaged in therapy ourselves, including couples therapy,” Swims shared, who is also nominated for Best New Artist at this year’s Grammy Awards. “Our goal is to understand each other better, appreciate who we are, and find effective ways to communicate as we welcome a beautiful child into our lives.”
The 13-track album features contributions from artists like Giv?on, Muni Long, Coco Jones, and GloRilla, all of whom hold Grammy nominations. Production comes from notable figures such as Julian Bunetta, John Ryan, and Mikky Ekko, who were also instrumental in his first album.
“Part 2” focuses on healthier relationships, drawing from a place of emotional stability, with most tracks being newly written while incorporating a few from the early sessions of the first album. “I thought, let’s create from this positive space I’m currently in,” he expressed. “Being in love serves as a fantastic impetus for writing love songs. Even the more upbeat tracks hint at the journey of embracing love again.”
Swims maintains the catchy grooves present in his debut with tracks such as “It Ain’t Easy,” “Funeral,” and the lead single “Bad Dreams.” However, it is in the ballads where he truly shines.
The collaborative track “Are You Even Real,” featuring Giv?on, opens with reflective lyrics that resonate with the classic slow jams reminiscent of BET’s “Midnight Love.” “It questions the reality of love and my perceived unworthiness of it,” Swims elaborated, expressing his hope for a future collaboration with Giv?on.
The piano-led ballad “Northern Lights” allows Swims to reminisce about the good moments from a past relationship, whereas “If You Ever Changed Your Mind” portrays the apprehension of a reluctant lover. “That song made me sob,” the 32-year-old admitted. “It encapsulates a profound emotion I’ve experienced, embodying a ‘please don’t leave me, it would destroy me’ essence.”
As he celebrates the release of this new album, Swims recognizes the challenge of replicating the success of his first album, which was recognized as Billboard’s 2024 Hot 100 Song of the Year for “Lose Control.” This track also recently topped the U.S. radio charts, surpassing notable competitors like Taylor Swift and Post Malone, and is nominated for Song of the Year at the upcoming 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Despite achieving fame and wealth, Swims opened up about the emotional voids that remain unfulfilled. “I used to think that reaching this level of success would alleviate all my issues. Having people validate my feelings wouldn’t magically make it better. I’ve learned that true happiness stems from self-love rather than accolades. Achievements alone don’t guarantee happiness.”
Looking ahead to his European tour starting next month in Dusseldorf, Swims anticipates that audiences will connect with the healing journey depicted in his new album just as deeply as they did with his earlier struggles. “I want listeners to understand that beyond the pain, there is an abundance of love and improvement,” he stated. “Going through tough times is a necessary part of the journey that ultimately leads to success, love, and this new chapter of parenthood.”
The 67th annual Grammy Awards are scheduled to take place on February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
