Shawn Mendes not afraid to experiment with new album

With his albums Handwritten and Illuminate topping the charts in America, Canada, and the U.K., Shawn Mendes earned worldwide fame at the age of 16. This early yet ever-growing renown not only gave Mendes a large fanbase to boost his ego, but also attracted many critics accusing him of being merely a heartthrob who whines about his heartbreaks in songs such as “Stitches” and “Mercy”.

Shawn Mendes’s two new releases in March broke such accusations with their daring style and lyrics. Shawn Mendes has been known for his skill in guitar-playing and composing catchy pop songs. This time, however, Mendes explores new genres of music; inspired by one of his favorite bands, Kings of Leon, Mendes wrote his very first rock song “In My Blood” right after attending the band’s concert in Europe. Moreover, compared to his old songs which generally portray his life’s romances, “In My Blood” reached new emotional depths by touching on topics such as anxiety. “Growing up, I was a pretty calm kid, super steady,” Shawn Mendes shared. “I knew people who had suffered from anxiety and found it kind of hard to understand, but then when it hits you, you’re like, ‘Oh my God, what is this? This is crazy.’”

Indeed, anxiety became more predominant in Mendes’ life after his increasing fame and exposure to the public view. “The only way we’re going to step up…and get better…is if it’s more honest. Like, how raw can we get?” Mendes expressed during an interview on “In My Blood”.

With this open mindset, Mendes started off “In My Blood” with the straightforward lyrics “Laying on the bathroom floor, feeling nothing/ I’m overwhelmed and insecure, give me something.” The verse continues its soft and sympathetic tone. However, just as the audience thinks that this is another one of Shawn’s victim songs, the chorus bursts in with loud drums, guitar, and a defiant voice singing “It [giving up] isn’t in my blood.” The song’s bold transition in tone and its genuine sentiment earned itself a first place on the iTunes charts.

The second release, “Lost in Japan”, displays a completely different side of Shawn Mendes––a more lighthearted and fun-loving side. The refreshing R&B tune captivates the audience, delights the fans, and even sways Mendes’ critics, who were surprised by his refined falsetto and daring mixture of acoustics, piano ballads, and arena rock in this song. Despite not being as popular as “In My Blood”, “Lost in Japan” allowed Shawn Mendes to experiment with all kinds of music and make an impactful impression in the professional music world.

“I don’t know how to describe it. [His new songs are] simply extraordinary,” Helen Kim (10A) expressed.

Feature Image – Shawn Mendes playing his guitar and singing Courtesy of REX via Shutterstock