Shawn Mendes Announces Self-Titled New Album Plus Singles ‘Why Why Why’ and ‘Isn’t That Enough’

Shawn Mendes has announced the release of his upcoming album “Shawn,” dropping on October 18. In anticipation of his new project, he’s putting out two singles — “Why Why Why” and “Isn’t That Enough” — on his birthday, August 8.

To accompany the announcement, Mendes released “Isn’t That Enough” as an album trailer. In a post on Instagram, he described the process for his upcoming fifth studio album, which he recorded over the past two years.

“Music really can be medicine,” he wrote. “[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 have no idea how I would have made it through the last couple years let alone make an album without you.”

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“Shawn” was recorded in numerous locations including Nosara, Costa Rica; Clubhouse Studio in Rhinebeck, NY; Bear Creek Studio in Washington State; Darkhorse Recordings in Nashville; and Electric Lady in New York City. He recorded the album with Scott Harris, Mike Sabath, Nate Mercereau, and Eddie Benjamin, and has contributions from Amy Allen and Ethan Gruska. It also features instrumentation from the Punch Brothers’ Chris Thile.

Mendes started teasing his new era this month with the release of a video on social media that suggested new music would arrive soon. He followed with a behind-the-scenes clip of him in the studio on the first day of recording for his upcoming fifth album. “Day 1 at the clubhouse,” he wrote in an Instagram caption, referring to the Clubhouse Studio in Rhinebeck, NY. The footage, taken on January 30, showed him working with Harris, Sabath, Mercereau and Alex Pyle on the new material.

It’s been four years since Mendes released his last album “Wonder,” which came out in December 2020. The record became his fourth consecutive chart-topper on the Billboard 200, and was followed by the Wonder world tour that got cut short seven dates after its start due to Mendes’ mental health issues.

Mendes has largely been out of the spotlight since then, popping up here and there on social media and making live cameos. He’s released a few sporadic singles including 2022’s “When You’re Gone” and last year’s “What the Hell Are We Dying For?,” which he surprise-dropped last June.

The Canadian singer-songwriter appears to be easing back into performing live, with recent surprise guest performances at concerts from Ed Sheeran, Noah Kahan and Niall Horan. He is currently scheduled to headline at Rock in Rio on September 22 and at Corona Capital in Mexico City on November 16.