Shawn is the fifth studio album by Shawn Mendes, set to release on November 15, 2024, through Island Records. This will be his first album since Wonder in 2020 and his second self-titled album. The album was initially set to release on October 18, 2024, but was later pushed back to November to allow “a little bit more time to bring some new inspiration and ideas to life.”[3] Mendes wrote and co-produced the album, working alongside Scott Harris, Mike Sabath, Nate Mercereau, and Eddie Benjamin.
Background[]
Plans for a new release appeared to have begun in mid-2021. In August, Shawn released "Summer of Love." However, following his breakup with Camila Cabello in November and subsequent mental health struggles, the concept for his next record was scrapped. Shortly after, in December, Mendes released "It'll Be Okay," followed by "When You're Gone" in March 2022. His fifth concert tour, Wonder: The World Tour, was ultimately canceled in July 2022. The unreleased version of the scrapped album, referred to as SM5, seemed to have had Mendes experimenting with different sounds, mostly delving into pop rock.
In February 2023, Shawn revealed that he was finally ready to "start" making songs after a "very difficult" year following the cancellation of his tour.[4] In June of that year, Shawn released the single "What The Hell Are We Dying For?," which addressed climate crisis. He explained that he had been "struggling" over the past year to create new music.[5]
On January 1, 2024, Mendes posted on Instagram: "[...] Happy New Year!! I’m so looking forward to this year! [...]," hinting at a 2024 release.[6] In the following months, Mendes and Scott Harris shared footage from the studio, which included snippets of new material. On July 21, Mendes posted a clip that seemingly teased new music and hinted at the aesthetic of his upcoming record.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] On July 21, Mendes posted a clip supposedly teasing new music and the aesthetic his new record might go for.[14] On July 23, he revealed an official behind-the-scenes look at the album's process, showcasing the first day in the studio on January 30, 2024. The following day, a video of Mendes singing a new song, "Isn't That Enough," was shared.[1][15] He would continue sharing the process behind the album and the various locations where it was recorded through these shared videos in the following months.
Singles[]
- "Isn't That Enough" was released as a promotional single on August 8th, 2024.
- "Why Why Why" was released as the lead single on August 8th, 2024.
- "Nobody Knows" was released as the second single on September 12, 2024.
- "Heart of Gold" was released as the third single on November 1st, 2024.
Recording Session[]
- January 30th, 2024
- February 11th, 2024 ("That's The Dream," "Why Why Why")
- March 18th, 2024 ("Why Why Why")
- March 26th, 2024 ("Nobody Knows")
- May 11th, 2024
Tracklist[]
| Standard edition | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Who I Am" | Shawn Mendes | Mendes | 1:40 |
| 2. | "Why Why Why" | Mendes | Mendes | 2:49 |
| 3. | "That's The Dream" | Mendes | Mendes | 2:14 |
| 4. | "Nobody Knows" | Mendes | Mendes | 2:32 |
| 5. | "Isn't That Enough" | Mendes | Mendes | 2:45 |
| 6. | "Heart of Gold" | Mendes | Mendes | 2:52 |
| 7. | "Heavy" | Mendes | Mendes | 2:34 |
| 8. | "That'll Be The Day" | Mendes | Mendes | 1:52 |
| 9. | "In Between" | Mendes | Mendes | 1:57 |
| 10. | "The Mountain" | Mendes | Mendes | 2:56 |
| 11. | "Rollin' Right Along" | Mendes | Mendes | 2:39 |
| 12. | "Hallelujah" | Mendes | Mendes | 3:46 |
| Total length: | 30:36 | |||
Trivia[]
- At three and a half years, this is the longest period in Mendes' career without releasing an album.
- On January 21, 2022 Shawn had posted twice on his Instagram, showing creative process behind "Don't Tell Me". It was possibly going to be the next single until "When You're Gone" took its place.[16][17]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 @shawnmendes: Day 1 at the clubhouse. This was my first time back in the studio making an album in four years with the family ♥️ @scottharris123 @mikesabath @natemercereau @808sandmilkshakes - Instagram
- ↑ 🚨 SHAWN MENDES SAID THAT HE FINISHED HIS FIFTH STUDIO ALBUM TODAY! - Shawn Mendes Brasil on X
- ↑ Shawn Mendes on X: "Hey guys ♥️" - X
- ↑ Shawn Mendes Is Ready to Hit the Studio After ‘Healing Process’ of Prioritizing Mental Health - Rolling Stone
- ↑ Hemlocke Springs and Shawn Mendes - Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1
- ↑ @shawnmendes: "Pura Vida!!!! Happy New year!! I’m so looking forward to this year! grateful grateful grateful 🙏🏻 ♥️" - Instagram.
- ↑ @shawnmendes: "creating art can be hard mannn…I’ve found myself many times looping in a pattern of waiting for inspiration to strike before picking up the guitar or sitting at the piano. Eventually i remember how important the willingness to just show up is. How showing up and trying even with nothing is kinda like sending a message up to the sky saying “i’m here and willing and open” and usually, that’s when my hands stumble across a little special chord or my voice a melody that i like 🌌 🪽" - Instagram
- ↑
Scott Harris Instagram Story January 19 2024.jpg
- ↑ Shawn Mendes Instagram Story February 4, 2024.jpg
- ↑ Mike Sabath Instagram Story February 4, 2024.jpg
- ↑ @shawnmendes: nobody knows - Instagram
- ↑ @shawnmendes - Instagram
- ↑ @shawnmendes: 🥹🤍 - Instagram
- ↑ @shawnmendes - Instagram
- ↑ @shawnmendes: My hand’s still shaking My mind’s still racing My heart’s still breaking in two I’m still changing, my friends stay patient My mother still calls for the news Isn’t that enough? Track 5, Isn’t That Enough 🤍 - Instagram
- ↑ Shawn Mendes Instagram post 01.21.2022.mp4
- ↑ "@shawnmendes: ber ber with electric guitar" - Instagram.
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