Flaunt Weeekly
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.
The record stems from the period that followed the cancellation of his 2022 tour, and moves forwards from there. Opener ‘Who I Am’ finds Shawn at his lowest, a series of lyrics that unpick the pressures of fame, the disorienting impact those expectations can have on the psyche. Hushed, it’s almost Sufjan-esque in its intimacy, with Shawn noting: “everything’s hard to explain out loud…”
From here, the brushstrokes become gradually more confident, more defined. ‘Why Why Why’ offers a cathartic form of audio therapy, while ‘That’s The Dream’ looks at the shadow side of having your ambitions realised. Musically, it’s beautiful – airy Americana, the recording is so intimate you can practically hear fingernails on guitar strings.
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As the record progresses you bear witness to Shawn Mendes pulling the different aspects of his life back in place. The wonderful ‘Isn’t That Enough’ recalls Neil Young’s ‘Harvest’ – it’s followed, aptly, by ‘Heart Of Gold’ – and these songs carry within them a quietly pervasive sense of direction, as though the album itself became a means of continuation.
There are moments of real melodic distinction, too. ‘That’ll Be The Day’ is a cousin of The Shins’ masterpiece ‘New Slang’, it’s gentle strut sweeping you up in its arms; the neat, countrified ‘Rollin’ Right Along’ has some Southern bourbon in its DNA, a masterful stomp worthy of the Grand Ol’ Opry.
Finishing with ‘Hallelujah’, it’s tempting to view Shawn Mendes’ search for the secret chord as being a journey of self-fulfilment. He’s determined not to be placed in anyone else’s box – artistically, personally, or even sexually – and ‘Shawn’ acts as his true testament.
8/10
Words: Robin Murray
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