Emily Pfaff
Staff Writer
Mendes leaves fans satisfied with new impressive and influential album
The self-titled album Shawn, by Shawn Mendes, displays Mendes’ growth as an artist in his ability to give his fans another powerful and moving album. He is able to show his emotions and vulnerability in every song.
The album takes a shift from Mendes’ previously recorded albums which were focused on pop sound, and now primarily alternative pop and indie-folk. The album covers themes such as self-discovery and reflection.
Mendes is a Canadian singer-songwriter and is currently 26 years old. All past albums namely Handwritten, Illuminate, and Wonder have debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Top 200 chart. He has won eight iHeartRadio MMVAs, two American Music Awards, and received three nominations for a Grammy Award.
The first track on the album, titled, “Who I Am,” is written about his feelings towards the cancellation of part of his “Wonder: The World Tour” in 2022. Mendes talks about how it broke his heart that he had to cancel the tour, but he needed to focus on his mental health and put himself first. The song sets the mood for the album and serves as a reflection of his time away from music and his journey to strengthen his mental health.
“Heart of Gold,” is an emotional and revealing song about Mendes and his traumas. The song is about a friend from his childhood who passes away. The song explores a 70’s soft rock genre which gives a unique interpretation and perspective of the song. The theme of the song is to understand that there can be benefits to grieving over lost ones and that it is important to pay respect to those who have passed.
“That’ll Be the Day” focuses on more of a country and folk side of acoustic pop. The song talks about moving on from past relationships and evolving to build new relationships and connections. It also talks about growing up as a person and learning from mistakes and former relationships.
“The Mountain,” centers on the positive aspects of fame and being in the spotlight. Mendes talks about his reconnection with nature and discovering himself. The song also talks about gaining self worth and finding peace and acceptance in his identity while dismissing critics.
Mendes closes the album with his final track entitled, “Hallelujah,” a cover of the world renowned song by Leonard Cohen. The song ends the album in a powerful way with a powerful message. Mendes sings and plays his guitar beautifully, the soft guitar chords harmonizing with his voice.
After dealing with trauma and mental health obstacles Mendes uses his struggles and talents to produce an impactful and unforgettable album. The album was a shift from his typical style and genre of music.
People should spend the time to buy and listen to this album for these reasons. This album is intended for a wide audience and was released on November 15, 2024. It is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
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