Ever since Canadian singer Shawn Mendes got his start on the app Vine, my sister Madison has been a huge fan of his. Consequently, I, myself, have listened to everything Mendes has released over the years, and became a fan after seeing him perform in concert for the first time (and have now seen him four times since!). So, my sister and I were naturally excited when Mendes announced his fourth studio album at the end of September this year, entitled Wonder. Out on December 4, here is what you need to know about this upcoming record.
- The Album has 14 Songs
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The tracklist for the album was released on November 13, and we hear some sneak peaks of some of the songs, like “Dream” and “Look Up At The Stars,” in Shawn’s Netflix Documentary, “In Wonder.” Speaking of Netflix…
- You Can See Some of the Songwriting Process in “In Wonder”
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“Shawn Mendes: In Wonder” dropped on Netflix on November 23. The documentary follows the singer through stops of his last tour (Shawn Mendes: The Tour), gives fans glances at his home life and relationship with Camila Cabello, as well as teases the upcoming album. It is in the documentary that we hear the lead single of the album, “Wonder,” in its earliest stages. Seeing Mendes work on the album in the studio makes the music that much more special.
- It’s a New Era for Mendes’ Music
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In a recent interview with British GQ, Mendes explains that this album is a reflection of all of the personal growth he has experienced this past year. He comments on vulnerability with this new record, and says, “To have to be someone you’re not, to the whole world, is horrible. And I know how difficult it is to be authentic. [But] I can speak to you clearly because I’m not dancing around my real self. I’m just being me with you. And that’s beauty. And that’s success.” The magazine also claims that Wonder is “a record that manages the impossible feat of being both emotionally honest and more extravagantly sexy than any he’s put out before.”
- Dream Collaboration
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One of the songs on Wonder is actually a collaboration with one of Mendes’ inspirations, Justin Bieber. The song “Monster” touches on society’s treatment of young celebrities, and how they are often put on pedestals that require them to be as perfect as possible. Justin put his own spin on the song that Shawn has been working on for awhile. In an interview with Elton John for V Man, Mendes describes the collaboration: “I called Justin and said, ‘I have this song and it means a lot to me. If it means something seriously to you and you want to put something very real on it, please be a part of this with me.’ And he did. Since then, we have become closer than ever. Sometimes I think that music comes along for a bigger reason, which, for me in this case is to create a song to inspire people, but also to create a friendship that was never there before.”
- Fans Look for Clues
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Fans can explore the room featured in the album trailer virtually at whatiswonder.com. The virtual experience was updated to include a photo of “Monster” with Justin Bieber on an easel, and fans have continuously scoured the site for clues and hints about what is in store for the album.
Wonder drops on December 4, and I am so excited to get some new music to play while studying for finals. My sister and I already have plans to drive around and listen to the new songs together, and I know lots of fans are willing to follow Mendes straight into Wonderland.