Album Review: Shawn by Shawn Mendes

The Gen Z Vine-turned-serious-artist had been steadily pumping out teen pop since 2014, and has, with 2018's Shawn Mendes and 2020's Wonder, proven himself to have some staying power. Unlike his early work that skewed juvenile (his debut was released when he was 17), later hits like "In My Blood", "Lost In Japan", or "Wonder" showed artistic growth. But in 2022, he canceled the majority of a world tour because of deteriorating mental health.

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Shawn Mendes has been through it. Within seconds of listening to his new - self-titled - album, it's clear that vast changes have taken place. Gone is the gloss, the pop bombast, and in its place lie spartan musicianship, a countrified feel that relishes truth and personal growth. It's brave, but no less potent than his prior work - lyrically wide open, his melodic flair ensures that the listener moves with him every step of the way.

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"Got a lotta talk in my brain right now/Sorry, gotta do it, gotta let you down," Shawn Mendes sings on the pointedly titled "Who I Am," the acoustic opening track from his fifth studio album. The meditative Shawn comes two years after Mendes canceled his 2022 world tour due to mental health issues, and the singer's new music is emblematic of a newfound self-reflection. The result is his most candid work to date.

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