Straight off the back of his Illuminate World Tour, Shawn Mendes has returned to the studio for a third and aptly named self-titled album, Shawn Mendes. It’s an ode to his maturity and tell all nature which was the the theme of his debut single “In My Blood” off the album and testifies to his openness to share his struggles with anxiety disorder.
Shawn’s inadequacy and grapples with self doubt are prevalent in the album throughout . In “Nervous”, he’s upbeat, charming and self-aware with a funk hook that makes light of his painstakingly awkward attempts to pick up. Co-written with Julia Michaels, he’s jovial about it, singing in conversational tone akin to Selena Gomez’s ‘Bad Liar’: “You got me acting like I’ve never done this before//And I don’t know why//No, I don’t know why.”
Piano accompaniments feature heavily in the album as well. In “Perfectly Wrong”, Shawn faces the all too familiar scenario of falling for the wrong lover where he enjoys the ride but must live with the regret. He drops some rapping in the verses, in a sound mimicking Pharell that leaves you feeling like you’re being whisked along but can’t seem to find the resolve to step away.
Changing tone and introducing us to Khalid’s vocals is the headline-driven, timely anthem “Youth.” We’re warned against the passivity of being an online teen and are encouraged to feel empowered despite the overwhelmingly sense of hopelessness towards gun violence. Given the pervasive feeling of feeling overburdened, Shawn is aware of his young albeit maturing audience. Among the controversy of school shootings and the topical 13 Reasons Why finale, it’s a public callout to lost souls least they become idle.
Shawn seems more determined to push aside the baby faced teen idol status yet still manipulates his sexual appeal as he further explores the ramifications of brief romantic encounters. “Where were you in the morning?” is a rueful acoustic ballad, questioning why his guest doesn’t want to get to know him deeper in a key similar to Ed Sheeran. Balancing this with “Lost in Japan,” he’s playful, opportunistic and is willing to go the distance literally to meet someone in their hotel room, sampling RNB and showing us a more soulful side.
Definitely a front-runner (and potentially next released single) is “Why,” a slow, heartfelt cry and speculated nod to Camilla Cabello, even as the attention is drawn to him and model Hailey Baldwin. Whether the album is centered on different flames, it can even be read as a single lover that must face embattled many facets of our one Shawn.
Certainly he’s growing up, but he has enough energy to give us that young sound that drew us to him in the first place.
Overall Rating: 8/10
Island Records
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