Heartthrob Shawn Mendes finally returns with his new single Wonder, not only setting his release date for his new album – set to be released on 4 December – but also a similar (yet different) sound from the musician…
The last time we were graced with new music from Mendes was all the way back in 2018 with his self-titled album. However, on Wednesday he revealed we would no longer have to wait for new music. Finally!
He returns with a passionate ballad accompanied by a heartfelt music video that not only mirrors his actions on screen, but also the lyrics. Compared to some of his earlier releases – such as Stitches – this single portrays Mendes’ maturity in his music.
“I wonder, wouldn’t it be nice / to live inside a world that isn’t black and white”. From these opening lyrics, you can tell we are seeing a more grown-up Shawn as in a way it mirrors how love becomes more confusing as you get older – yet when you are younger, it seems more simple.
In the music video, we start with Mendes on a train that he travels down, eventually venturing into woodland and concluding at the edge of a cliff in the pouring rain, each scene becoming more intense as the music picks up tempo. The music video is very well done in terms of reflecting the tempo and feel of the song – the frustration and desperation one can feel from love.
Not only do we experience this new maturity in music from Shawn, but we see his new post-lockdown look. Different to how we first saw him – with his cute ‘boy next door’ look – this time we see Mendes with longer and curlier locks, as well as a move away from his less mature wardrobe. Am I the only one who gets Harry Styles vibes from him now?
What I love about this new release (after repeatedly playing it already) is once again the change in his style towards music because we get to see this more sensitive, meaningful and deeper side to Mendes through what he does best, and that is his songwriting and singing.
I for one cannot wait until December to hear his new album. If it goes along the lines of his new style in this single, it’s an album that is set to be a satisfying listen.
Rating: 8/10
By Katie Green
Feature Image Credit: Island Records