By Mia Shea
Staff Writer
The record “Shawn” by Shawn Mendes contains 12 songs that recall what it’s like to find yourself and your own identity while struggling with the pressure around you.
Mendes announced the record on X in July of this year. “Shawn,” released on Nov. 15, is his first release since his previous album “Wonder” in 2020.
“Music really can be medicine,” Mendes wrote. “2 years ago I felt like I had absolutely no idea who I was. A year ago I couldn’t step into a studio without falling into complete panic. So to be here right now with 12 beautiful finished songs feels like such a gift.”
The album opens with the track “Who Am I,” which wrestles with the idea of figuring out who you are when life throws unexpected obstacles in your path and the people around you are pressuring you to succeed.
The following track is titled “Why Why Why” and was the lead single for the record. On a depressing note, this song harps on figuring out why Mendes feels the way that he does when it comes to certain situations.
The main chorus of the track goes, “Feels like everything goes 'round and 'round / And 'round and 'round and 'round it goes.” It heavily pushes this idea that life is just a continuous cycle, when every day feels the same.
As the album continues, Mendes proceeds with the depressing themes of missing past relationships and longing to find meaning, with tracks like “That’s The Dream,” “Nobody Knows” and “Isn’t That Enough.”
Throughout the album, the instrumentals are primarily acoustic and involve guitars. The melody and instrumentals are somewhat reminiscent of a country album, along with the light harmonica sprinkled throughout.
The pace begins to pick up with the catchy sixth track, titled “Heart of Gold,” which goes through the different stages of grief and moving on from losing someone. This track adds some variety into an otherwise very monotonous album.
In a Jan. 2 Instagram post, Mendes wrote: “The biggest lesson for me this year has been to accept and welcome the lows of life… not to constantly need to change or fix something in order to feel high again, because i know if i really slow down and listen when i’m low there’s always something to hear.”
This quote encapsulates the message and overall themes of the record, like trying to pick yourself up after being knocked down or experiencing hardship — and in the process, attempting to find the meaning of life.
The track “The Mountain” is more about self growth and having your own experiences. This track also pays homage to the Indigo Girls song “Closer to Fine,” with the lyrics in Mendes’ song saying, “I took a trip to the mountains / I took a trip to the sea / I took a sip from the fountain.”
The album ends on a higher note than it began, with the beginning songs being more discouraging and depressing. The tracks toward the end of the album soar, such as “The Mountain” and “Rollin’ Right Along.”
The final track for this record is a unique choice, as it is a cover of the song “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. The emotion in Mendes’ voice is very present, as it is throughout the rest of the album. However, the decision to do this might hinder overall opinions on the record because it is not an original.
The record overall is lyrically strong, and the message is very prevalent throughout. The acoustic instruments and more laid back tone enhance the album, featuring a somewhat new, experimental style for Mendes.
