Etcetera OG ✎ COMPLETE

; shawn mendes "shawn mendes" album review

         Hi, it me.

         Okay, I won't drag this out super long because let's be real, it's not the interesting part. I just wanted to include a quick disclaimer before we get into the review.

         Listen.

        I love Shawn Mendes as a person. I think he's so cool and I love his friendship with Niall. I love seeing him succeed and seeing everybody love him and his music, because he's worked really hard. I remember back when Vine was a thing and I got kind of into the music side of it, he was always there, stealing the show. So much talent.

         That being said, I'm not a huge fan of most of what he's released so far. "Stitches", "Mercy", and "Treat You Better" are literally three of the most annoying songs I've ever heard in my life, and like. I know he can do better. "There's Nothing Holding Me Back" was the first single he's had that didn't make me want to rip my ears off and gouge out my ear drums after a month of radio play, so I'm hoping that means this album will be his best stuff yet. It's the reason I'm reviewing it, because I'm confident.

         Most of this is a first listen review. I've heard "In My Blood" for sure, and as for the rest, I technically watched a YouTuber's review already so I've heard bits of each track, but that was the day of its release and I don't even remember any of it. I'm excited to see Julia Michaels as a feature, and I think she also wrote "Nervous"? Not positive though.

         Anyway, here we go. Fingers crossed.

01: IN MY BLOOD – 8.5/10

I love the talk-singing in the verses a lot. Something about that is super sincere, and I think that vibes well with the overall song. Even though the 'medicine' lyric gives me instant war flashbacks of all the Harry Styles performances I've watched of that song of his, I really like the calls for help in every different way. The "I need somebody now" part is super powerful when you're in the right mood. Don't listen at night when you're emo. Or maybe do, sometimes crying feels right. Anyway yeah, I really like this although it's still sort of reminiscent of his older tunes like "Mercy" and I'm worried I'll tire of it quickly so I'm trying not to listen to it too often to delay that. Favorite lyric: I'm crawling in my skin

02: NERVOUS – 10/10

Okay I get two different vibes from this song, and I love both of them. First: the music and talk-singing in the verses sounds kind of similar to Selena Gomez's "Bad Liar". Not tune-wise, but just all of the different elements there. And then second: The chorus with him singing over his own falsettos reminds me of a Jesse McCartney song for some reason? I don't even know which one, and maybe it's not a specific song. Maybe it's just a Jesse McCartney thing to do. Either way, I love this mix of two very different vibes and how different this already feels from everything else he's done (I say as if I've listened to more than just his singles). Anyway, yeah, I like this a lot. Will add to my playlists. Favorite lyric: I heard you asked about me through a friend / and my adrenaline kicked in / 'cause I've been askin' 'bout you too

03: LOST IN JAPAN – 8/10

So, I know this one was also released early, but for some reason I just never thought to listen to it. I don't know, man. I think my favorite theory that I've heard since its release though is that it's about Niall and their secret gay relationship, which. If it's true I would not oppose (although I am a HEAVY Niall+Hailee Steinfeld shipper). "Lost in Japan" has a very groovy thing going on. It reminds me of the feel of flying over cities at night when you can see all the lights and you kind of imagine all that might be going on there right that moment, all the different lives people might be leading. Am I the only one who does that? Anyway, this groovy, suave feel isn't really my thing so unfortunately this track will never be my favorite, but that being said, I do like the tune of the refrain. For what he wanted to do here, I think he did it well, it's just not my cup of tea personally. I do, however, enjoy the little vocal thing he does at the end of the choruses with "off my mind". That's very nice. Favorite lyric: I could feel the tension / we could cut it with a knife / I know it's more than just a friendship