On October 2nd, Shawn Mendes released his highly anticipated new single “Wonder” from his upcoming album with the same title. The song is uplifting and powerful. It feels like a breath of fresh air for Mendes.
The song begins with Mendes listing all of the things he wonders about. He wonders if he’s being real, what it would be like to live in a world that isn’t black and white, and what it’s like to be his friends. As the song progresses, Mendes starts singing about what he wonders late at night. It climaxes at the chorus when he sings “I wonder what it’s like to be loved by you”. The remainder of the song continues similarily, with Mendes wondering if she feels it too and if she’ll be by his side. (I think it’s safe to say a certain popstar is now.) One of the lyrics that really stood out to me was when Mendes says “I wonder when I cry into my hands, I’m conditioned to feel like less than of a man.” I love this because it’s great to hear a man speak out against toxic masculinity.
Another great aspect of the song is its production. It starts strong, but builds throughout and ends even stronger. The music video for “Wonder” is also incredible. It’s directed by Matty Peacock and was released on the same day as the single. The video is divided into three different sections based on location. It begins with Mendes in a train, then in a luscious forest, and finally on a cliff over the ocean. In all three locations, Mendes can be seen looking hot as usual. There are moments where he is alone, dancing with others, or screaming to the world and these moments correlate with progressions in the song.
Mendes’ Wonder is the latest of musical masterpieces to be born out of the pandemic. The song is very upbeat and inspiring; perfect for what the world needs right now. It’s also a great song for anyone that likes to stay up late fantasizing about a person that may or may not like you. Mendes brought his A game for Wonder and I’m excited to listen to the full album when it debuts on December 4th.