Shawn Mendes hit London last night (August 13th) for a special show. The songwriter’s new album ‘Shawn’ lands on October 18th , and it contains some of his most personal material yet. Sculpted over some exhaustive recording sessions, the process dug up old trauma, and allowed Shawn space to heal.
In a note on the album’s launch, he said: “Music really can be medicine. Two 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 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.
” — — Last night Shawn Mendes took his band to London’s historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with fans descending on the venue from across Europe. A beautiful, tender performance, he unfurled the album front-to-back, chatting a little between songs to illuminate his intent. For the more intimate moments Shawn gathered the musicians together to sing in a circle, reminiscent of those vintage Grand Ole Opry broadcasts .
There were personal revelations – Shawn openly discussed the loss of an old friend to addiction onstage, the pain palpable in his voice – and also some smiles, with th.