Shawn Mendes Returns With a Musical Memoir

Released Nov. 15, “Shawn” is Shawn Mendes’ first album since 2020. The self-titled record takes listeners along for a ride of self-discovery as Mendes defines his passions and happiness.  

Opening song “Who I Am” sets the stage with Mendes’ tender vocals backed by mellow guitar. Mendes expresses his struggle to fulfill his own needs while still making his loved ones proud.

Rich with vulnerability, “Why Why Why” brings listeners a quick guitar tempo complementing choral lyrics of spiraling anxiety.

“I stepped off the stage with nothin’ left / All the lights were fuckin’ with my head / But here I am singing songs again,” he sings, referencing his two-year break from touring. 

In the following “That’s The Dream,” Mendes faces the reality of a cherished romantic relationship coming to an end. Mendes begins the song grappling with being alone, but ends the track hopeful, exploring his dream he and his lover were meant to be. 

Mendes’ raspy vocals combine with a soulful melody on “Nobody Knows” to create an ethereal pitch throughout the ballad of love and loss. 

The singer’s traditional acoustic guitar returns on “Isn’t That Enough.” Mendes’ calm tone pairs with a folk melody to present a more mature version of himself. 

“Heart of Gold” features a lively tempo reminicist to “Why Why Why,” this time in contrast to deeply personal lyrics. He provides a sincere reflection on the death of his close friend who overdosed in 2018. 

“When we were young / We didn’t care / We shot for the stars / I see you up there / You had a heart of gold,” Mendes sings. 

Mendes showcases his vocal range with tenor notes on “Heavy.” He sings about overcoming his own isolation after a breakup and gradually feeling ready to listen to his ex-lover’s side of the story. 

“I’ve been on my own now for way too long / You’ve been tryna to talk to me to give me the truth / Now I’m finally ready to let you,” Mendes sings. 

Mendes bares his heart in “That’ll Be The Day.” His style of folk melody is once again present alongside lyrical promises to hold on to the love from his past relationship until he dies. 

A sentimental track filled with slow guitar chords and angelic vocals, “In Between” questions what makes a relationship important enough to last. Its lyricism explores similar themes of adequacy addressed in the record’s earlier track “Isn’t That Enough.”

“The Mountain” tells a story of identity and personal growth. The track’s blissful melody and breathy vocals create a mature work of art which reflects Mendes’ journey to find himself. 

“You can say I like girls or boys / Whatever fits your mold,” Mendes sings, addressing a decade of invasive rumors about his sexuality. 

Mendes brings an optimistic tone to “Rollin’ Right Along” as he reflects on a past he can’t change and looks to a future he hopes to define on his own terms. 

“Might lose my way / Gone, gone, gone / But I’m gonna stay / Rollin’ right along,” Mendes sings. 

The album ends with a cover of “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, a nod to Mendes’ spiritual journey during his hiatus. His low pitch and passionate tone infuse the song with raw emotion to create a beautiful rendition. 

“Shawn” stirs together soulful melodies, heartfelt lyricism and personal growth to eloquently transform Mendes’ soul-searching journey into tangible proof of his matured artistry. 

“Shawn” is available on all major streaming platforms.