Review of “Shawn,” Shawn Mendes’ Musical Comeback

After a four-year wait since his last album, Wonder (2020), and a delayed release date, Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes has finally unveiled his fifth studio album, Shawn. This honest record places themes of resilience and acceptance at its core.

Album cover of Shawn Mendes’ “Shawn." Photo by Anthony Wilson.

Anyone who has followed Shawn Mendes’ career is aware of the challenges he has faced in recent years: struggles with mental health, canceled tours, and an extended period of healing without new releases. For this reason, “Shawn” is the product of a season of adversity, transforming pain and uncertainty into music.

The singles “Why Why Why” and “Isn’t That Enough” gave us a glimpse of the album’s aesthetic and overall sound, characterized by acoustic guitars and production designed to feel intimate and personal. While “Why Why Why” delves into folk-pop with hints of country, both singles emphasize the artist's vulnerability and his journey toward balancing pain and love.

The album invites listeners to dive deep into Shawn’s thoughts to understand not only where his choices have led him but also why he made them in the first place. Tracks like “Who i am”, which opens the album like a sung monologue, and “That’ll Be The Day”, where the artist bares his soul to confront his darkest fears, stand out as highlights alongside the latest single, “Heart of Gold”. 

Shawn is undoubtedly Mendes’ most mature and lyrically raw album to date. However, its warm, sweet production softens the weight of its lyrics. That said, it might not be his best album so far, given the impressive discography he has built, including Illuminate (2018), which delivered hits like “Mercy”, “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back”, “Treat you better” or “Ruin”. 

The album’s narrative and sonic coherence work well, as the collection of tracks that make up Shawn create an intimate experience—almost as if Shawn Mendes were singing in the same room as you.