Shawn Mendes is a Canadian singer and songwriter that attracted a following in 2013, when he began posting song covers on the video-sharing app Vine. The following year, he caught the attention of artist manager Andrew Gertler and Island Records Ziggy Chareton, which led to him signing a deal with the record label. It was his second studio album “Illuminate” that catapulted Mendes into the Billboard charts and gave him the global success he’s currently reveling in. Mendes one of five artists to ever debut at number one before the age of eighteen, making him a force to reckon with even before his career has truly peaked.
Now Mendes releases his self titled third studio album, containing the chart topping single “In My Blood”. The song was very personal to Mendes as it detailed his struggle with anxiety disorder and marks the first time the singer has publicly discussed his experiences with the mental health disorder. On his decision to write the song, Mendes said he wanted to “make something as serious as anxiety tangible where everybody can listen to it and either connect with it or understand it. Sometimes it lasts two hours, sometimes it lasts a day and sometimes it lasts five minutes. The point of the song is that no matter how long that lasts, you can come out the other end stronger and you come out of the other end always”.
In a pop world you can either try and develop a new avenue of sound, or grow, and in 2018 it’s almost as if Shawn has hit the “reset” button, moving away from the sugary sweet sound he won over the Internet with. Instead, he’s produced a record that borrows from his mentor John Mayer, as well as huge stadium rock bands like Kings of Leon and R&B arena fillers like Bruno Mars, and written his most personal and open album yet. Lyrically this album is almost flawless, and Mendes acquired assistance from contemporary pop’s greatest songwriting weapon, Julia Michaels, who co-wrote his songs “Nervous” as well as the duet “Like To Be You,” where she offers up her delicate vocals above guest guitarist John Mayer. You can immediately hear Mendes growth in these songs as he tackles relationships more confidently, sex with fearlessness, there’s no more cheeky, immature hooks here.
“Fallin’ All In You” was co-written by Ed Sheeran, as the singer tells the story of a one-night stand that turns into something more serious. Ryan Tedder and Mendes crafted the surefire hit “Particular Taste,” funky piece of pop perfection similar to what we hear from Tedder’s One Republic band. One of my favourite tracks have to be the fourth single, a cool crooning John Mayer inspired record called “Where Were You In The Morning?”. The song was co-written by Geoff Warburton, Scott Harris and is produced by Mendes and Teddy Geiger. It’s quite a bluesy song hat depicts the tale of a one-night stand who bailed on Mendes the next morning without so much as a good-bye.
On the song “Youth”, Mendes teams up with friend and fast rising star Khalid, the duo performed this as a pro-gun control statement at the Billboard Awards this year. The album closes with the song “When You’re Ready”, a heart string ballad with a chorus that pledges eternal love. The song ends unexpectedly, on a lingering note that leaves the listener wanting more, a clever songwriting technique, that not only leaves your anticipation on a all time high but also makes the album resonate with you even more than it did already. “Shawn Mendes” is a remarkably crafted album, and his persona has become stronger than it ever was before. It’s an insight into Mendes fragile world, a world that you’ll enjoy spending time in.
Rating: 4 /5
