Shawn Mendes marked his birthday on August 8th with a gift for fans, dropping not one, but two new tracks: “Why Why Why” and “Isn’t That Enough.” These releases serve as the first tastes from his highly anticipated fifth album, simply titled Shawn. The introspective and emotive “Why Why Why” immediately caught attention, accompanied by a visually compelling music video.
The music video for “Why Why Why,” directed by Anthony Wilson and Connor Brashier, offers a raw and intimate look into Mendes’s world. Scenes of him passionately playing guitar and singing in a rustic barn and along a flowing river are interwoven with powerful shots of him performing solo on a dimly lit stage. This visual juxtaposition enhances the song’s introspective nature, as Mendes delves into themes of past love and the cyclical patterns of life.
Lyrically, “Why Why Why” is deeply personal and reflective. Mendes doesn’t shy away from vulnerability as he sings, “Visions of her naked in my head/But I went off and chose myself instead.” Further into the song, he reveals even more profound thoughts with the lines, “I thought I was about to be a father/Shook me to the core I’m still a kid/Sometimes, I still cry out for my mother.” These lyrics offer a glimpse into Mendes’s internal world, exploring themes of growth, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships.
In a recent interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, Mendes elaborated on the impactful nature of “Why Why Why.” He described the song as possessing something “anthemic” in its words, stating, “It almost felt like a cry. It felt like … I don’t know. It just felt powerful and beautiful.” This description resonates with the raw emotion conveyed in both the song and its accompanying visuals.
Alongside the introspective “Why Why Why,” Mendes also released “Isn’t That Enough,” a track with a different, more direct purpose. Mendes explained that “Isn’t That Enough” felt like a direct “conversation with the fans and with the public.” He felt a need to connect, saying, “I needed to address that, ‘Hey, how have you been?’ And I needed to say back, ‘I’m good. Everything’s good. It’s going to be good. It’s all right.’” This track serves as a comforting message to his fanbase, reassuring them and offering a sense of optimism.
These new ballads arrive nearly three years after Mendes and Camila Cabello’s widely publicized split in November 2021. The pair famously collaborated on the hit song “Señorita” in 2019, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. While “Why Why Why” delves into personal reflections that could be interpreted in light of past relationships, Mendes is focusing forward with his new music.
Mendes described his upcoming fifth album, Shawn, as “the most natural thing I’ve ever made.” He further shared that discussing and performing this new music feels incredibly organic, stating, “It feels like the most natural thing to talk about it. It feels like the most natural thing to play live. And so it’s just giving me all these … It just kind of feels easier than it ever has in a really lovely way.” This suggests a new level of comfort and authenticity in his artistry.
Set to be released on October 18th, Shawn will be showcased in a unique and intimate way. Mendes announced a six-show tour where he will perform the album from start to finish. This special run of performances began at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock and includes stops in iconic cities like London, Nashville, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Fans eager to experience Shawn live will have a chance to witness this deeply personal album in its entirety.
