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If there’s one artist that will make you drop whatever you’re doing, even if you just came back from a leisurely outing, it has to be Teddy Swims. Can you believe he’s in his 30s?

This September 2026, he returns with his remarkable, jaw-dropping live performance of “Perfect Man”, it makes you forget that the lyrics to the powerful ballad and soulful track aren’t grammatically accurate. Inspired by his past breakup with Swim’s former partner, the track is expected to be released in conjunction with his latest album, “Ugly”, set to be out on 22 January 2027.

From the opening line, you’ll be transported someplace else, other than your own. He accepts the fact that he is and will never be perfect for anyone, including his partner, the mother to his child. Swims feels accountable and owns up to his own flaws, missed cues, and the feeling of letting love slip away.

Therefore, men should not set standards that are too high for themselves, especially when they’ve forged a certain partnership and stepped into fatherhood. As the song progresses, Swims comes to the realisation that his partner only asked for him to stop pretending and keep trying for his child, and not desire to be a flawless superhero like Superman.

In terms of the song’s style, it starts of an intimate deep orchestral piano ballad before going into a full band analogue sound. Both the recording and the live performance feature his touring band, “Freak Freely”, soulful backing vocals, a four-piece string section and four-piece horn section, making the song have a sharp, strong, soulful punch. Other than making the track more energetic and brighter, this punch matches with Swim’s singing style and vocals, described as raspy, which is his signature, giving his breakup or dark songs the edge, you tend to feel a deep cut, too, even if you’re just on the listening end.

His exposure to both gospel and soul music from a young age, thanks to his maternal grandfather and father, is clearly felt and heard through his music and work of art, especially in “Perfect Man”. Besides, in this track, you’ll hear influences of R&B from the 1970s, making listeners have this on repeat, acknowledging his beautiful craft, using his signature unpolished belt, making him stand out from other artists.

“Perfect Man” is amongst other tracks in “Ugly” that all contain themes of self-acceptance, reflection, the transition to fatherhood, personal growth, choosing grace, forming healthier patterns, and not shying away from insecurities.

Jaten Collin Dimsdale chose the stage name Teddy Swims, a combination of his childhood nickname and internet forum lingo for “someone who isn’t me”, and expanded by using the ‘s’ which stands for ‘sometimes’. With this acronym, he is able to step into a character and perform music across genres, feeling safer and more confident in his own skin.