Shawn Mendes is an average Canadian 18 year old. He just happens to have millions of fans. Illuminate is Mendes’ sophomore album, and is much different than any of his previous releases.

 

This album shows more of a mature setting compared to his previous album. Hearing the album for the first time, the production of a few of the tracks gives off a style that is similar to that of Ed Sheeran, one of Mendes’ primary influences. The writing and content found throughout the project shows how much Mendes has grown from his first releases, The Shawn Mendes EP and Handwritten, almost two years ago.

 

With a majority of his fan base consisting of teenage girls, this album really showed how he wants to treat a girl. Shawn has had many girls come up to him and send him messages of how they wish to be or have been treated. I felt like this album was more like him communicating to his fans on a deeper, much more personal, level through topics surrounding peaceful breakups, ageism, and even domestic abuse.

 

The album’s lead single, “Treat You Better,” is centered around a female friend of Shawn’s who is in a toxic relationship. While she feels like she shouldn’t be there, she doesn't know how to convey her thoughts without angering her significant other. Shawn penned the lyrics trying to show her that he's a better match for her.

 

The fifteen tracks on Shawn Mendes’ deluxe “Illuminate” album overall make this such an amazing project, and is a much better masterpiece than anything he’s ever crafted. Mendes has shown so much maturity in the songwriting process and throughout the album’s creation. This 18 year old’s millions of followers can’t wait until he releases something new, which may be better than before.

10/5/16