Justin Bieber fans spot 'wild' reference as wife Hailey posts brutal message about singer's surprise album

Eagle-eyed 'Beliebers' have uncovered a hidden reference in the artwork of his brand new album, crediting the musician for being 'crazy'.

Following several years predominantly away from the spotlight, Bieber, 31, surprised his loyal fanbase at midnight last night (11 July), releasing a full-fledged compilation titled Swag.

Featuring an impressive 20 singles, the work marks the seventh studio album of the Canadian hitmaker. It comes almost five years after his last release, Justice, in 2021.

Bieber has also released a plethora of professional pics to promote the album - a number of which include his wife, Rhode beauty boss Hailey, and their 11-month-old son Jack Blues.

However, a number of the photographs shared immediately caught the attention of a group of music lovers, who immediately recognised the photographer behind them.

New York-based Renell Medrano, 33, captured Bieber and his family for his latest project, which seemingly mirrors a previous photoshoot carried out on fellow music-maker Kendrick Lamar, for his Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers album.

She also worked with the 'Baby' star for his 2013 Teen Vogue shoot, when the singer was largely new to the industry.

Spotting the similarities, one X user gushed of the Bieber's collaboration with Medrano, writing: "Her work speaks to finding vulnerability and common humanity within her subjects."

And another noted: "Time travel fashion vibes! What’s happening?"

Comparing the photos, a third added: "The reference it’s crazy - Justin Bieber x Teen Vogue 2013 - Justin Bieber 2025."

"Lmao, that reference is absolutely wild," added a fourth.

Unfortunately for Bieber, however, another more controversial aspect to the album's launch has set tongues wagging for a different reason altogether.

Praise over his artwork comes after his model other-half Hailey, 28, shared a bizarre message of praise about his latest work, sharing a picture of it plastered across a huge billboard on her Instagram, with the caption: "Is it finally clocking to you f**king losers?".

For those confused by her crypic comment, Hailey seems to be referencing a bust-up that her husband endured with a member of the paparazzi last month, during which he could be seen asking the photographer in a viral video: "It’s not clocking to you that I’m standing on business, is it?"

For his new work, Bieber also sampled his oddly-phrased question, and remixed it into his track 'Butterflies'.

Despite some fans of the big-name couple believing Hailey's comment is simply a jibe in relation to the mishap, others have questioned whether they're aiming their sassy commentary at someone in particular.

One confused critic wrote on X: "What does she mean by that??” and "What does she mean by this?"

"I don’t get it. What and who she talking about??" asked another social media user.

Others claim she and Bieber are likely using both her post and the track itself to block out critics, who have come for his financial position, his health and the status of his marriage incessantly in recent years.

"She is so defensive I love it," one fan wrote.

Another added: "Oh she gagged I fear. We love this energy for her."