Embracing the Flaws: Teddy Swims Unveils Soul-Baring Single 'Perfect Man' Ahead of New Album UGLY

Grammy-nominated, Diamond-certified powerhouse Teddy Swims has officially announced his highly anticipated sophomore studio album, UGLY, set to land on 22 January via Warner Records.

Penned over the past 15 months following the birth of his son, UGLY represents a deep dive into self-reflection and emotional maturation, capturing Swims' evolution as both a man and a father. Offering an early glimpse into the project, Swims has unveiled his latest single, 'Perfect Man', alongside a visually striking performance video.

The artwork for UGLY. Supplied by Warner Records

The Myth of Perfection

At its core, 'Perfect Man' is an unvarnished anthem confronting the impossible standards people place on themselves, urging listeners to discover strength within their vulnerabilities. The track begins with the intimate warmth of an orchestral piano ballad before sweeping into a full-band arrangement layered with rich, soulful backing harmonies.

As the melody builds, the emotional weight of the central hook shifts. Reckoning with self-criticism and all-or-nothing expectations, Swims lands on an honest revelation: she never wanted perfection, just for someone to try harder.

"‘Perfect Man’ is a song about self forgiveness," Swims explains. "In my life, I’ve held myself to a standard that is completely unrealistic, I’ve been too hard on myself as a partner, as a father, and in feeling the responsibility that comes with knowing there are people who rely and look up to me. I truly believe our insecurities and our quirks are signs of strength rather than weakness."

"The beauty of chasing perfection is knowing we will never reach it," he adds.

To bring the track to life, Swims reteamed with frequent collaborators Julian Bunetta, Afterhrs, Matt Zara, Mikky Ekko, Kendrick Nicholls, and Alex Izquierdo, joined by Edgar Barrera. In the accompanying performance video, Swims is backed by his band, vocalists, and a four-piece string section and a four-piece horn section—donning an artfully distressed white pinstriped suit that underscores the song's theme of embracing imperfection.

A Landmark Run

The release follows the raw narrative of 'Break Up in Reverse', whose music video memorably featured Swims singing while a bulldozer in reverse pieced together a fractured domestic dream.

Swims enters this next chapter riding a wave of historic momentum. His breakout smash 'Lose Control'—certified Diamond, 9x ARIA Platinum in Australia, and 10x Platinum in New Zealand—recently set the record as the longest-charting song in Billboard Hot 100 history at 112 weeks, crossing 5 billion global streams.

Between wrapping a sold-out worldwide tour last year and becoming the only artist in 2026 to grace both the Stagecoach and Coachella stages—the latter featuring guest appearances from David Lee Roth, Joe Jonas, and Vanessa Carlton—Swims has spent the year dominating festival circuits from Bonnaroo to Lollapalooza Berlin.

With The UGLY Tour on the horizon and 'Perfect Man' setting the tone, Teddy Swims is proving that vulnerability remains his sharpest instrument. Teddy Swims' new single 'Perfect Man' is out now. His sophomore album, 'UGLY', arrives on 22 January via Warner Records.