Teddy Swims has announced that his forthcoming album, UGLY, is set to drop on January 22, accompanied by thoughts on fatherhood.
The project formed during a period of personal upheaval, with the Lose Control vocalist spending the past year contemplating the kind of musician he aspires to be and the duties that accompany new parenthood.
That self-examination feeds directly into UGLY, which he describes as a project anchored in honesty, vulnerability, and the pressure to meet expectations.
The album is spearheaded by the new single Perfect Man, a moody soul-pop offering in which Teddy confronts the unattainable standards he has set for himself. He explains that the track centers on releasing perfection and embracing the flaws that render people human.
Teddy – who shares a baby boy with former partner Raiche Wright – commented: “Perfect Man is a song about forgiving oneself.”
“In my life, I’ve held myself to a utterly unrealistic standard. I’ve been overly demanding of myself as a partner and a father, and in shouldering the weight of those who depend on me. I genuinely believe that our insecurities and our quirks are signals of strength rather than weakness.”
He added: “My hope with this song, and with the accompanying work and discussions around it, is that listeners may discover relief and learn to lean into our flaws instead of concealing them. The allure of pursuing perfection lies in the knowledge that it will always remain out of reach.”
A live performance clip of Perfect Man is now available, giving fans an early glimpse of the album’s mood.
In addition to the release, Teddy plans a full UK tour in spring 2027, including three shows in Manchester and three more in London, marking one of his largest runs in Britain to date.
Visit teddyswims.com for further details.
UGLY serves as the successor to 2025’s I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 2). His acclaimed debut album—I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1)—was released in 2023.
