"Why Why Why" and "Isn't That Enough" Are Just the Beginning of the Shawn Mendes Comeback We Have All Been Waiting For
Shawn Album Cover via @shawnmendes on Instagram
Shawn Mendes is officially back with two new singles from his forthcoming album, Shawn, out on October 18th! The Canadian singer-songwriter first rose to fame in 2013 after posts of him singing covers on Vine went viral, but he has, time and time again, proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with within the music industry. His raw and powerful voice, combined with honest and romantic lyrics, has connected with listeners over the last decade as he opened for Taylor Swift’s 1989 world tour in 2015 and has since gone on to headline his own tours.
After nearly four years since his last album, Wonder, and a hiatus from social media and industry-related events, Mendes is prepared to make his strongest and most honest comeback yet! If his first two singles, “Why Why Why” and “Isn’t That Enough,” are anything to go by, we can expect a folksy, raw, and intimate album reminiscent of his critically acclaimed self-titled album released in 2018, but with a more mature and self-reflective twist.
“Why Why Why” and “Isn’t That Enough,” the second and fifth tracks from the album, respectively, carry the same folksy and enchanting breath yet illustrate two different sides to Mendes’ singing and songwriting abilities, and therefore, two different sides to what fans may expect from the album as a whole. Where “Why Why Why” is more upbeat, with a catchy combination of guitars and drums, “Isn’t That Enough” is more mellow, with soothing harmonies and a calming harmonica. The contrast in instrumentals between the two singles is exciting as we eagerly await the album, but the lyrics and distinct vocals from both songs are what draws them together and give listeners a sense of what is to come in the remaining ten songs.
“Why Why Why” starts off strong with a fun drumbeat and continues with an upbeat guitar instrumental and a tambourine jingle that rings in the background and builds to the end of the song. Accompanied by a catchy chorus of “I don’t know why/I don’t know, I don’t know why/Why, why, why?/Why, why, why?/Feels like everything goes ’round and ‘round/And ’round, and ’round, and ’round it goes/Feels like everything goes ’round and ‘round/And ’round, and ’round, and ’round” the song makes you want to spin and dance around in an open field on a summer evening as the sun sets and turns the sky a peachy shade of pink. However, the lyrics in each verse keep the song grounded and allow Mendes to divulge some of his deepest thoughts and feelings, not only to his listeners but to himself: “I stepped off the stage with nothin’ left/All the lights were fuckin’ with my head/But here I am, singin’ songs again/Why, why, why? Ease my mind.” As the song opens up with the lyric “Opened up my journal to a page,” the song feels like Mendes is allowing you to read his thoughts and secrets directly from a journal or diary, usually sealed with a lock and key. The song feels like a cathartic release not only for listeners but for Mendes as well, who has always been a strong advocate for taking care of your mental health and has been open about his own mental health journey. Listeners will likely find “Why Why Why” very honest and relatable, with just the right amount of joyful instrumentals to keep the song hopeful and fresh. While Mendes takes steps to a more folksy sound, reminiscent of his earlier work, there is an undeniable maturity to his vocals and lyricism that I think will please fans and hopefully draw in listeners unfamiliar with his music.
"Why Why Why" Official Music Video
“Isn’t That Enough” explores a more laid-back element within Mendes’ vocals and songwriting. The casual guitar and harmonica instrumentals are comforting as if you are sitting around a fire with your closest friends, much like Mendes does in the music video. Lyrics such as “Sweet is the sun/Warm is the rain/June is the month/Free is the day/My hands still shakin’/My mind’s still racin’/My heart’s still breakin’ in two/I’m still changin’/My friends stay patient/My mother still calls for the news” are effortless and natural as if Mendes is thinking of them on the spot or pulling lines directly from his journal. There is no denying that Mendes knows how to craft a flawless, upbeat, and catchy pop hit, but it is his ability to strip everything away and focus on his vocals and instrumentals as he does with “Isn’t That Enough” that has made him such a standout amongst other artists in the music industry today.
"Isn't That Enough" Official Music Video
Mendes’ immediate vulnerability and openness in this new era of music is refreshing, especially from an artist with so much star power and such a large fan base, and I, for one, am excited and hopeful for this new chapter of Mendes’ discography, and I am eager to see where this era of music will lead him in the future.
Be sure to checkout his latest singles, “Why Why Why” and “Isn’t That Enough” and don’t miss his new album Shawn out on October 18th!
