Album of the week: "Illuminate" by Shawn Mendes

We regularly present the latest releases on the music scene. Today: the new album by Shawn Mendes, who will also be performing live in Zurich in May 2017.

"Illuminate" is the name of the second work by 18-year-old Shawn Mendes. The Canadian writes his own lyrics: "I think the new album is more mature than its predecessor," Mendes told the German Press Agency (dpa). "I was only 15 when I wrote the last album, now I'm 18. You can tell, of course."

Like so many young stars today, Mendes became famous through social media. But he is the first musician to land a record deal via the six-second video portal Vine. Since 2012, he has regularly posted cover clips there, including of his fellow countryman Justin Bieber, and has been able to raise his profile.

In 2012, at the age of 14, Mendes got his first guitar. Just one year later, he signed his first record deal. In 2014, he managed to place his debut single "Life Of The Party" in the US Billboard Charts as well as in the Canadian and British charts thanks to his internet fame alone. This makes him the youngest artist to place his debut single in the US charts. The debut album "Handwritten" followed in 2015 with the biggest hit "Stitches".

Shawn Mendes remains true to his style

"Illuminate" is now his second album. It shows that he is staying true to his style. "Treat you better", the lead single from the new album, is in a similar style to Stitches, the cuddly pop-rock is assured.

The latest single and the rest of the album are also convincing: hit parade material in Mendes' usual style. Only the lyrics seem more grown-up: they may not always be autobiographical, but they all tell a story. For example, the latest single from the album, "Mercy", is about a person who doesn't know how much you've fallen for them.

In addition to the original version of "Mercy", the deluxe version also includes an (almost even better) acoustic version. The album contains a total of twelve tracks, the deluxe version 15.

Next year, Mendes will go on a major "Illuminate" tour with the album. He will also be giving a concert in Switzerland for the first time. And it will be at the Hallenstadion Zurich. No wonder some people are calling him the next Justin Bieber.

SHAWN MENDES
14.05.17, Hallenstadion Zurich
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