Shawn Mendes – Shawn
10 km/h in the wrong lane.
Shawn Mendes continues to navigate his career with a clear desire to redefine himself, peeling back layers in search of a sound and identity that feels authentic. With Shawn, the 26-year-old singer turns toward a more folk-inspired guitar pop—a style that, while not entirely new to his repertoire, takes center stage for the first time. And good for him—this direction suits his voice, delivery, and overall persona remarkably well. The sincerity of his enjoyment shines through in the music, lending the project an air of earnestness that has often felt missing in his earlier works.
In recent years, Mendes has been making an effort to share his internal struggles and dilemmas more openly. For someone of his age, navigating self-discovery can be an emotional whirlwind, but doing so under the scrutiny of millions is a completely different level of complexity. As a peer in age, it’s both fascinating and heartbreaking to witness this journey—a balancing act of figuring out who you are without succumbing to the projections of others. It’s hard not to root for Mendes, especially when his attempts at self-expression feel this personal.
The turn toward folk and country-adjacent sounds feels like a natural evolution for Mendes. These genres are known for their ability to dig deep into human experiences, unearthing vulnerability and raw emotion. It’s clear he has plenty of material to draw from—years of internalized pressure and unresolved feelings—but despite his intentions, the execution struggles. Folk music demands more than just an honest heart; it requires lyrical depth and storytelling prowess. This is where Shawn falters. The album, clocking in at just 30 minutes, feels thematically shallow.
The decision to title the album Shawn—a simplification of his earlier self-titled Shawn Mendes—feels like a deliberate attempt to close the gap between artist and audience, promising a more intimate and personal experience. Yet the result still feels distant. The production, while pleasant, is too safe and one-dimensional to create standout moments, and the lack of narrative cohesion makes it hard to emotionally connect. Once the album ends, you might struggle to recall a single melody or lyric.
The strongest track, “Why Why Why,” remains the highlight, showcasing the clarity of intention and emotion the rest of the album struggles to maintain. Other tracks like “Heart of Gold,” “That’s the Dream,” and “Heavy” offer glimpses of what could have been—a more compelling, introspective album—but these moments are fleeting. Listening to these songs will give you a good sense of the album's overall vibe without requiring a full listen.
The album wraps up with a cover of Hallelujah, and... mate, what the hell was that?
To Mendes’s credit, Shawn is still a marked improvement over 2020’s Wonder. It’s more grounded, honest, and reflective of an artist finally exploring what truly excites him. However, the album also has an unintentional “stoner confessional” vibe, like someone dabbling in psychedelic self-discovery without fully committing to the emotional honesty required to make it impactful. Mendes isn’t there yet, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Ultimately, Shawn is a small but promising step forward—a cautious move that finds Mendes still on the wrong side of the road but slowly steering in the right direction. With time and perhaps more courage to fully embrace vulnerability, he might just create something that hits the mark.
6.0/10
