REVIEW #1: 80/100

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2020 has been nothing short of a massive year for Shawn Mendes. Previously achieving fame with his sophomore album, Human, and it’s singles, the release of his self-titled third studio album took the world by storm last year and made him a household name. The now diamond album spawned three top five hits including Shawn’s first number one single, and also became his most acclaimed work to date alongside his EP, The Miami Experiment. Now, nearly one year on from the release of “Shawn Mendes”, the star has decided to release a deluxe edition of the album, including 5 songs that were cut from the original tracklist and a song written specially for this release.

 

The project begins with What We Used To Be, which also served as Shawn’s latest single and the lead from this release. It’s clear to see why this was chosen as the lead, given it’s beautiful soaring instrumental and strong lyricism. The entire track feels polished, there’s no moments that interrupt the flow of the song as we seamlessly venture through Shawn’s thoughts as he reflects. The lyrics paint a heartbreaking picture, but the song carries an element of hope throughout it sonically that stands out and makes this track a highlight and one that easily would’ve fit on the original tracklist. Further Down The Spiral follows and has a drastically contrasting mood to the opener. There is no hope to be found within this track, with the track being a front row seat to Shawn’s self-deprecation and absolute defeat. Although most of the lines land well, some in particular (namely the second line of the first verse) can feel slightly out of place. Nonetheless, the production is the clear stand out here as a powerful driving force in the song that takes the album from the softer opener to this more beautifully frustrated track. 

 

Next in the tracklist is What Hurts The Most which is yet another soft, reflective look at Shawn’s past relationship, presumably with ex-girlfriend Hilary Duff. Somehow, this feels even more heartbreaking than the opener as Shawn’s emotions are aided by some of his strongest lyricism to create an image of regret. However, the regret is not of the relationship itself, rather the impact he allowed it to have on him. Much of Shawn’s discography is framed from a reflective manner, but the elegance and sophistication in which this track is executed puts it among his best. The production compliments this well and creates what is absolutely a standout. Tourniquet is the next track and the production is a highlight among the album, with a stunning soundscape. Lyrically, the track seems to tackle Shawn’s own experience with fame which is difficult to execute. Far from a misstep, but at times the track feels hollow. Where many of the tracks on this album have effective emotional language and ideas within them, Tourniquet feels more like a re-telling and somewhat disconnected from the situation. The writing and the track overall is solid, it just lacks that emotional pull found in the better songs on the album.

 

Sadly, the next song is potentially the only one I would call a misstep. World’s on Fire is the only song written for this release, and was written in response to the Capitol riots in the United States. The verses, particularly the second one, are actually impressively written and very strong. Some of the other moments feel somewhat on the nose (such as the line about trending social topics), but still work within the context of the song. I think what really drags the song down is the interludes within it, containing audio clips of the riots themselves. While the intention behind it’s inclusion is admirable, it’s implemented in a way that doesn’t add to the existing song and rather interrupts an otherwise powerful message. Perhaps it could’ve been included in a way that didn’t feel as grating it’s presence would feel more justified. While Shawn’s decision to explore this event is to be commended, the inclusion of this sample is a tradeoff that, while adding clear meaning and impact to the song, does interrupt the structure of the track greatly.

 

Closing the re-release is perhaps the best song of Shawn’s career yet, My Last Breath. There’s little to say about this track other than how stunning every aspect of it is. The lyricism is nothing short of incredible, delicately portraying a dream once had by Shawn in a way that reflects his own end. The production is simply ethereal and impossible to fault, the entire track is the perfect end to Shawn’s blockbuster era and leaves him on a new high going into his future projects.

 

It’s not uncommon for artist’s to re-release their most popular works, especially ones with as much success as Shawn Mendes. However, this re-release feels authentic to the original and comes from a place of sincerity, with Shawn providing his fans with the content that so nearly made it onto the album that made him a star. Not every  new track lives up to the heights of the original, but the ones that do would’ve been highlights even on his massively acclaimed third studio album and, beyond that, his entire career. The release is a celebration of Shawn Mendes’ career defining album, and leaves him in good standing for the next step in his career.

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REVIEW #2: 81//100

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Following a massive year, Shawn Mendes has released a reissue of his diamond certified self titled third album. Featuring 6 new tracks scattered around the original tracklist, the reissue promises to continue existing storylines from the album as they deal with fame, mental health and his romantic relationships, including the infamous one with Hilary Duff. All the songs are leftovers from the album's sessions, except the controversial "World's On Fire", which was newly written following the January 6 Insurrection.

 

The album's new tracks keep up with the ones from the original record. By far the strongest in that field are "What Hurts The Most" and "My Last Breath". "Most" is a triumphant end to a chapter of vulnerability in the public eye, featuring perfectly the way fame affected not only his relationship with Hilary Duff, but its aftermath. Throughout the singer beautifully illustrates the evolution of his indifference, as he progresses from "the wound still bleeds" to "a memory flutters by" to "a thought crosses my mind" to "maybe what we had wasn't love at all". By far, due to its sonic and lyrical content, it's the best out of the 6 new songs. However, "My Last Breath" comes close. Not only it is one of his best songs lyrically, but it's very different from what we're used to hear from Shawn. The matter of the song, that strays away from mental health, romance and fame, deals with mortality. However, unlike his other songs from his repertoire talking about that, "Breath" is different. The imagery is abstract, yet very descriptive, like a Salvador Dali painting. Though some odd choices hold the song back a little, it doesn't stop it from being a highlight. Another great track is "Tourniquet", an interesting take on Shawn's fame that feels like a message to past him. Despite some cheesy or cliche lines, the song illustrates Shawn's feelings perfectly, allowing for the listener to emphatize with him. The lyrics are very descriptive and straight forward and have a beautiful message.

 

Up next is the aforementioned "World's On Fire", the only political song on the entire record, is a wild card. Songs dealing with an important matter are very much in one extreme or the other: either they are tasteful or tone deaf. Thankfully, "Fire" manages to be the first option. Shawn takes the perspective of a citizen who's been horrified when seeing the events of January 6th and, in a confused matter, wonders "where do we go from here", emphasing on the unity needed to move forward from the Insurrection. However, what was totally unnecessary were the fragments of Riots inserted in the middle at the end of the song. Not only do they feel tacky, but they interrupt the flow of the song and make the rest of the listening experience awkward. Even on the weakest tracks, there are some good sides. "What We Used To Be", the reissue's lead single, is not straight up bad. However, comapred with the other songs, it pales. Its weakest spot is the second verse, that feels like an after-thought written last minute. However, the first verse opens the album nicely and the chorus is well-written. That being said, by far the weakest on the entire album is "Further Down The Spiral". Its first 3 verses are gorgeous lyricism, very descriptive and beautifully put. But, from the second half of the chorus onwards, the song goes into whiny territory. Instead of continuing the indirect messages to a God that's abandoned him, Shawn prefers to cry about other people's thoughts on him, giving us a "Haunted" experience.

 

Overall, the reissue has some gorgeous additions to Shawn's discography. The production tends to be same-y and one can only hope that the singer develops a different sound for his next era. But, for what it is, "Shawn Mendes: Deluxe" offers us some of Mendes' best output, proving that his third album cycle has always been destined to be his breakout moment.

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REVIEW #3: 70//100

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After dropping his most successful album Shawn Mendes, Shawn Mendes has done what many pop star artists do and released a deluxe edition to his album, also called Now And Then EP. The deluxe edition was released to some backlash on Saturday Night Live, and the lead single What We Used To Be was a big success on the charts, debuting at #2!! Let's dive in to the Deluxe Edition and see what it is.

 

It begins with the lead, What We Used To Be. I have to say, it starts off extremely strong - and I am surprised this song was not on the original album. It's a beautiful story about Shawn and Hilary's failed relationship, told over a brooding orchestral pop instrumental. However, it really only is, to reference an album track on the original album, As Good As It Gets from here. 

 

And that's not to say the rest of the deluxe release is bad by any means, it's not, but it doesn't hold up as a part of the original album for the most part. In fact, I would say that only 3 tracks were good enough to be on the original - What We Used To Be, What Hurts The Most, and My Last Breath. Further Down The Spiral and Tourniquet, while not bad tracks, are just not up to the quality of the other three songs I mentioned, both lyrically and sonically. They seem repetitive and like nothing new we haven't heard from Shawn already. And this brings me to probably the biggest problem of this deluxe release EP is that it all sounds the same. I found myself forgotting which song I was on because every single instrumental was nearly identical, but not in a good cohesive way, in a forgettable way. There was no ups and downs for the most part sonically, which led to the experience being a samey.

 

However the album truly reaches its lowest point with World On Fire. Again, the instrumental brings nothing new and is quite boring. The lyrics try to hard, in my opinion, and seem like a very bleeding heart liberal take on the situation. But the worst portion is when the screams begin, and truly ruin the track completely. Coming out of nowhere is audio from the riots that is jarring, harsh, and makes no sense with the extremely toned down instrumental. But thankfly, things pick up with the last track My Last Breath, which is one of the ones I believe should have been on the album. It is probably the best song Shawn has ever written, bar none, and speaks of a very real fear a lot of us has, not being remembered when we are gone. But it ends with a hopeful note with Shawn's boyfriend Conner, and gives a sensation of hope to the listener. 

 

Overall, the Now And Then EP/Shawn Mendes Deluxe is not bad, but not great either, and probably could have just been a deluxe edition without all the extra EP stuff. Shawn displays some of his strongest writing ever, with some fumbles here and there, but it is exciting to imagine what Shawn Mendes has for us in store in the future to hold. 

 

What We Used To Be - 10/10

 

Further Down The Spiral - 6/10

 

What Hurts The Most - 8/10

 

Tourniquet - 6/10

 

World's On Fire - 2/10

 

My Last Breath - 10/10

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