Shawn Mendes has announced his first new album in four years, ‘Shawn’, and has shared the first song ‘Isn’t That Enough’ – watch the video below.
‘Shawn’ was written over the course of two years and recorded in a range of locations, including Costa Rica, Nashville and New York City. It will be released on October 18 via Island Records and you can pre-order it here.
The Canadian popstar has also announced that the single ‘Why Why Why’ will be released on August 9, while another song ‘Isn’t That Enough’ has been shared now as a trailer for the album. Watch the video for the delicate, finger-plucked, folk-and-country-inspired song here:
Mendes has written and co-produced the album alongside Scott Harris, Mike Sabath (RAYE), Nate Mercereau (Andre 3000) and Eddie Benjamin, with additional songwriting from Amy Allen and Ethan Gruska (Bon Iver, Phoebe Bridgers).
Speaking about the record, Mendes has said: “Music really can be medicine. 2 years ago I felt like I had absolutely no idea who I was. A year ago I couldn’t step into a studio without falling into complete panic. So to be here right now with 12 beautiful finished songs feels like such a gift.”
“Honestly thank god for my friends and family. Life can be brutal but having a small group of people you deeply trust to walk you through makes it so much better. I have no idea how I would have made it through the last couple years let alone make an album without you.”
“Scott, Mike, Eddie, Andrew, Ziggy, Sylvie, Rachel, Brian, Prash, Sarah, Meghan, Connor, Tony, Aaliyah, mum, dad, Jocelyne, H.O.M, Matty. All of my Friends and Family, thank you for loving on me so hard. And to you guys who have been so unbelievably supportive and patient and loving thank you from the bottom of my heart. I really hope you love this album, I do. I really really do. I hope it makes you feel warm and close to the earth like it does for me.”
In July 2022, Mendes cancelled the remainder of his ‘Wonder: The World Tour’ after admitting that he had been struggling with his mental health.
“I’ve been touring since I was 15 and to be honest it’s always been difficult to be on the road away from friends and family,” he announced in a statement at the time. “After a few years off the road, I felt like was ready to dive back in, but that decision was premature and unfortunately the toll of the road and the pressure has caught up to me and I’ve hit a breaking point.
“After speaking with my team and health professionals, I need to take some time to heal and take care of myself and my mental health, first and foremost. As soon as there are more updates I promise I will let you know.”
Last year, he updated fans on his well-being and the “healing process” he had been through. “The process was very difficult. A lot of doing therapy, a lot of trying to understand how I was feeling and what was making me feel that way. And then doing the work to help myself and heal. And also leaning on people in my life to help a little bit,” he said.
“I think the last year and a half has been the most eye-opening and growing and beautiful and just healing process of my life. I’m also really grateful for all the people that were so accepting and loving and kind and understanding.”
Last summer, he appeared on stage with Ed Sheeran in Toronto for ‘Lego House’, his first live performance in more than a year.
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