Shawn Mendes announces long-awaited return with new album 'Shawn'

Shawn Mendes has announced the release of a new album after a four-year hiatus since his last record. Fans of the singer are touched and excited, but some are also displeased with the tracklist.

Shawn Mendes announced his new studio album following a four-year break. The "Shawn" record is set to be released on 18 October 2024. Contrary to expectations, this information has caused great excitement among fans and irritation due to the tracklist that appeared on the musician's social media on 31 July.

The news that the 25-year-old singer returned to the studio to record a full album for the first time since 2020 has sparked many positive emotions among fans, which they have expressed loudly on social media. However, they quickly noticed a problem with the album. The 12 tracks announced by Mendes are concise.

Three tracks do not exceed two minutes, and only one lasts more than three minutes. The total duration of the album is less than half an hour—27 minutes from start to finish—and the artist's fans are not thrilled about it. One commenter on X wrote: "With all due respect, is this an album or 12 interludes?" In music, interludes are short, most often instrumental breaks.

One excited Mendes fan inadvertently hit on the essence of the mystery of increasingly shorter musical tracks in popular music. She wrote: "I'm ready! 12 new songs to listen to on repeat." In the era of digital music, when both chart positions and part of the artists' earnings are tied to the number of plays of individual tracks, it is more profitable to release shorter numbers that will be played repeatedly by fans.

Shawn Mendes shared a personal message on X explaining the long time since his last album. The singer wrote: "Music really can be medicine. 2 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."

Mendes thanked his family and friends who helped him overcome difficulties. He also addressed fans directly: "And to you guys who have been so unbelievably supportive and patient and loving thank you from the bottom of my heart. I really hope you love this album, I do. I really really do. I hope it makes you feel warm and close to the earth like it does for me."