Tobias Jesso Jr. Reflects on Songwriter Grammy Nomination, Working With Justin Bieber and Returning to the Spotlight With ‘Shine’

Tobias Jesso Jr. celebrated his 40th birthday this past July with a perfectly timed gift: the release of Justin Bieber's album "Swag," a project he had helped craft for three years. From his Los Angeles home, shortly before a planned relocation to Australia, the songwriter remembers preparing for his party while listening to the final mixes. "I was cleaning up, listening to it, and I just couldn't believe he did it," Jesso recalls. The experience of hearing the completed work, after years immersed in its creative process, filled him with pride. "Having been in the room for all that creative melting pot and then hearing the final product—it was so good. It was an amazing, proud moment."

This event capped a remarkable year for Jesso, which was further highlighted in early November by a 2026 Grammy nomination for songwriter of the year (non-classical). This marks his second nod in this category, following his win at the award's 2023 inception, cementing his status as a go-to writer in modern pop. His prolific 2025 output demonstrates his versatility, including contributions to Miley Cyrus's "Golden Burning Sun," HAIM's "Relationships," and Olivia Dean's breakthrough single "Man I Need," which soared to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Jesso first emerged a decade ago with his melancholic solo debut "Goon" (2015), but has since built an esteemed catalog writing for stars like Adele—where he earned his first major credit on "When We Were Young"—Harry Styles, and Dua Lipa.

Jesso's collaborative process is highly selective, driven by a simple principle. "I only want to work on music I'd put on a playlist for myself," he explains. "It's like helping create a product you genuinely want to use. That gives you a completely different sense of purpose." This philosophy guided his deep involvement in Justin Bieber's "Swag," which began in 2022. At the time, Bieber—the Canadian superstar known for global hits like "Sorry" and "Yummy"—was re-evaluating his artistic direction and gathered a close-knit team including producers like Dijon and Carter Lang. "I think Justin was figuring out how to represent himself," Jesso observes. "Surrounding himself with trusted collaborators was his way forward." The album, which later earned four Grammy nominations including Album of the Year, took shape during intensive sessions from France to Iceland. "All the trust had been built," Jesso says. "We were a unit. We just needed to wrap it up and assemble the pieces."

His approach proved equally effective with rising English singer-songwriter Olivia Dean. Introduced by mutual collaborator Sir Nolan, Jesso was immediately impressed by Dean's self-assured vision. "I usually try to help everyone settle in, but with Olivia, I could tell within five minutes she didn't need that," he notes. "She had a forceful energy—she knew exactly who she was." Some industry observers point out that Jesso's skill lies in his chameleonic ability to enhance an artist's innate style rather than stamping a signature sound onto their work, a trait that allows him to move seamlessly between genres from soul-pop to rock.

Alongside these high-profile collaborations, Jesso quietly dedicated six weeks to recording his own sophomore album, "Shine," which arrived without major promotion in late November. The eight-song project, which he calls a "culmination" of his thirties, wrestles with personal themes from divorce to the happiness of fatherhood. Its raw, intimate feel is deliberate, achieved by performing each song repeatedly until the ideal take was captured. This return to his own artistry was unforeseen; after "Goon," Jesso had grown disenchanted with performing and largely retreated from his solo career. "['Shine'] came from a place of processing my own advice," he shares. "I was in a bummed-out, depressed headspace, but making this music wasn't stressful—it was helpful."

Ultimately, "Shine" represents Jesso defining his artistic identity apart from the awards and expectations that accompany his songwriting for others. "I'm grateful to have a career where Grammys can be a part of it," he states. "And I'd love as many as they want to give me. But it's not the goal." As music critic Anya Richards noted in a recent analysis, "Jesso embodies a rare balance in the industry: a writer who achieves mainstream acclaim without letting it dictate his creative compass." For Jesso, integrity remains paramount. "My thing this year was to not sacrifice my integrity for an award. If I win another Grammy based solely on the songs I've been part of, I'll feel proud—both of my work and of the artists who made it happen."