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 the songwriter clearly relishing being back out in front of his fans. Singles ‘Why Why Why’ and ‘Isn’t That Enough’ were greeted rapturously, before Shawn Mendes ended with a surprise cover. Using his harmonium – an instrument that became a key factor in the album’s gestation – the band gradually coalesced around a slow-burn performance of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’.
‘Shawn’ will be released on October 18th. Photo Credit: Charlotte Rainville.
