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Very rarely do breakups come easily. There is turmoil, back and forth, and a very slow healing process. Throughout all of these challenges, it is natural to find yourself wondering how they are handling this process, what they are feeling, and if they are doing as poorly as you are. Potentially the worst feeling throughout all of this is learning that they are simply not hurting the way you are. Georgie Benz’s latest single “how did you do it so easily?” details this very experience, and Benz’s journey in this breakup. Her voice is raw and emotive, and the simple soundscape lends for pure focus on the melancholic story behind the lyrics. Benz grapples with learning how unaffected her ex is as she struggles with her heartbreak, and listeners find themselves wondering which feeling is worse. This track’s soundscape is simplistic and barebones, including only a guitar and some slight synths paired with Benz’ vocalizing on background tracks. Starting with sharing Benz’s perspective on the breakup, she discusses how going their separate ways was the hardest thing she has ever had to do. She then hits the pre-chorus and chorus, which sings, “cus you’re fine and I’m not / you’ve moved on and I’m stuck / so if it feels like breaking, I’ll put myself there / and if it’s hurting, at least I still know you were here”. She finds comfort in the hurt, because at least then she knows there was love there to grieve over. A saddening concept, this stage in the breakup is all too understandable. The last lyric of the chorus is, “Please tell me how you did it so easily”, where we reach the title of the track. Benz almost pleads with her ex, wishing for an explanation. A Berklee College of Music graduate, 23 year old Georgie Benz hails from London, England, and is an indie pop singer-songwriter. Graduating with a major in songwriting and a minor in recording and production, her education clearly is well represented in her music. She has taken inspiration from both British and American artists, such as Sam Fender, Phoebe Bridgers, and MUNA. With a rich vocal quality almost like Katie Gregson-MacLeod, Benz has released four singles on Spotify so far, including “how did you do it so easily?”. Her first single, “smoker’s lungs” was released in September of 2023, and she has only grown since then. Make sure to follow the social medias below to stay tuned for more music from Georgie Benz. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW GEORGIE BENZ: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

Have you ever been addicted to the things you find familiarity in even if it’s a past relationship that had a million good reasons for ending? Where you know it’s bound to end in hurt, but there’s a part of you that always wants to go back no matter what. Dalloway has, and her new single “Hangover” reveals how it feels. This track brings a lot of electro indie alt-pop energy with a spooky season vibe perfect for the season. She wanted to play around with distortion to add emphasis on how confusing it can be to ignore all the rights and choose the wrong. Along with the song, she released a music video that is inspired by the iconic 80’s slasher era. The visuals are incredible and showing the bad decisions made in classic slasher films and aligning that with the message of the song was pure artistry. Dalloway said “Hangover is about going back to a relationship when you know it’s a terrible idea, but the hope of maybe getting it right this time overwhelms all the red flags.” She uses metaphors in the verses like “You’re the knife and I’m in the kitchen” or “You’re the bet I shouldn’t be taking” expressing how wrong this person is for her. Going back time and time again to someone who hurts you feels like hitting a nail into a coffin with little effort wondering if it will ever seal shut. It’s painful and a lot of unnecessary self sabotage, but it’s something we’ve all done before. Dalloway turned this experience into a relatable pop-bop that has you humming the melody after the first listen. I admire the self-reflecting and awareness she portrayed in the lyrics and the empowering effect it has to know the choices are wrong and understand that you have every reason to walk away. You just have to find the strength to hit the nail hard enough, bury the coffin and find peace. Dalloway is a singer-songwriter who grew up outside of Boston, but has been LA based for the past decade. Her name is Mary-Cait, but she got her artist name from her favorite novel, 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf. She has never been a stranger to music and performing with a history of vocal lessons, school musicals and being apart of an a cappella group. In 2022, she released her debut single “Phases” as well as her debut EP “Overripe” kick starting her solo artist career. Dalloway writes about personal experiences about longing, neurodivergence, depression and being queer. Music for her is about finding a way to express herself and empower others by sharing it. Dalloway is an icon in the making and her artistry is inspiring. If you love Sapphic pop, you’re sure to love “Hangover” and all her other releases. Check out the links down below to stay updated with Dalloway. Written By Emylee Herring FOLLOW DALLOWAY: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Chrissy Costanza’s newest single “Perfect Crime” captures what it means to keep our feelings buried so deep that it stabs us in the back. A hypnotizing blend of rock and pop, this dark-tinged single is brimming with intense percussion and an undercurrent of that classic 2000s era punk rock with its confessional-style lyrics. Sometimes, we might think it’s easier to go it alone, letting everybody believe that we’re fine– but Costanza illustrates how that deep-set suffering is the perfect crime to commit against ourselves. After all, it’s a crime that leaves no body behind, no evidence or crime scene; all that dies is who we are inside. With vivid imagery and powerful vocals, “Perfect Crime” is a fiery combination of everything that makes rock and pop so brilliantly potent when working together. The style of rock in “Perfect Crime” is very nostalgic for me, and it might be for you as well if you grew up listening to punk rock in the early to mid 2000s. There’s something about the crashing together of fervent percussion and emotional lyrics that makes the punk rock and pop rock genres so singular against other music types. “Perfect Crime” is no exception, as listeners are very quickly introduced to how hot-blooded this single is going to get. The introduction is slower, a little more temperate, but the climb comes fast as the pre-chorus begins. The chorus comes with a torrent of percussion, an energy that continues throughout the track. An electric guitar follows along, blending with the percussion to make that signature pop rock soundscape in its intensity. During the verses, the instrumentals ebb and flow in with the lyrics to mirror their meanings, calming right before the storm hits again in the chorus. I found it a poetic way to represent how our own emotions do the same, especially when we’re hurting internally; we put up this calm front, but know that the waves are going to crash soon. The lyrics, too, are passionate; Costanza sings, “it’s the perfect crime to die / inside while alive”, which I feel is such an evocative line and the perfect way to sum up this track. “Perfect Crime” is all about leaving behind no clues, and living while you’re dying is one of those ways to do it. Impassioned, while painting a very important topic, “Perfect Crime” is a song whose intensities speak to the emotional storms we weather when we ignore how important it is to reach out for help, and admitting that we’re in pain. The lead vocalist of the band Against the Current, singer-songwriter Chrissy Costanza’s vocals have been listened to by billions of people worldwide. In 2017, the band recorded their hit single “Legends Never Die” for the 2017 League of Legends  World Championship, a track which now has over 630 million streams only on Spotify. Costanza has now embarked on her solo project, which began with her debut solo that released mid 2024, entitled “7 Minutes in Hell”. This was later followed by a couple more singles and her debut EP “VII”. With soundscapes defined by the pop rock and punk rock genres, both her vocals and songwriting have a biting edge to them that elicit listeners’ driving emotions. “Perfect Crime” is Costanza’s latest release, and the perfect single to close a year filled with release upon release for her. She’s also on tour , so you should definitely pick up a ticket if you’re in the area. In the meantime, give her discography a good listen– and if you enjoyed that, consider visiting Against the Current’s, too, to get more of Costanza’s brilliant songwriting and vocals! Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW CHRISSY COSTANZA: Instagram | Spotify  | Facebook  | YouTube | Website

Relationships can leave us in doubt when the person we once loved has inflicted pain and hurt on us. Relationships that reach their demise may even leave us with trust issues that can affect any potential connections we may develop with others in the future. After experiencing the hurt and betrayal we once did, we somehow find doubt in our hearts that something so good is simply just too good to be true. We grapple with our messy hearts that are left dubious, the relic of pain still palpable, lingering, as we introduce ourselves to new love. To embrace our struggles and move forward with the next chapters our life has to offer– it’s a process that’s a battle in itself. Doubt is ever omnipresent, and exudes its noxious fragrance to create a bubble of reluctance to an aberrant and open mindset. “Used To Be” by Lambert is a song that so exceptionally captures the battle of heartbreak and self-doubt. After leaving a relationship, it’s difficult to find oneself in another one where we are fully capable of trusting the other person. Despite being fully healed, there can be that little susurration of doubt in our minds that makes us question our decisions, question our happiness, and if it’s truly genuine, or simply just an impermanent emotion that will soon crumble as the former once did, and leave us with yet another heartbreak to tend to, and more self-doubt and insecurity. The song opens with a sort of slow tempo that progresses along with the melodic voice of Lambert, flourishing and mending along with the catchy hook that delivers the impactful message behind the emotive lyrics. All of it blends together to create a sound and emotion that’s so efficacious. Lambert's voice manages to carry the listeners in a puddle of emotions that we once experienced. “Used To Be” is a song that many people can unfortunately open their hearts to and reminisce about the emotions one has experienced. Or, perhaps this song opens up the sensitive window to the emotions one is undergoing currently. Regardless, Lambert is able to transport us and allow us to embrace the struggles we’ve endured, and the relationships we’ve had, all leading up to the mess of sentiments that are so powerfully described in the song. When being disappointed so many times throughout your life, it can be hard to have a positive mindset, as it’s easy to fall into pessimism about your hurting past. Lambert tells a story of trust issues and heartache that a plethora of people can relate to. She takes us into her world of phenomenal storytelling that transports us into the very pits of our delicate hearts. Grace Lambert, the talented electro-pop artist behind the song, is a singer and songwriter based in London. In February of 2025, Lambert plans to release her first EP titled “Human Nature”. It explores themes of disconnection and alienation. Lambert is exploring the world and it’s lost futures in this debut EP. So far, Lambert has released two songs as part of the EP, one including “Used To Be” and the other track titled “After Dark” which is the first release of the EP. Different from “Used To Be”, “After Dark” explores independence, accepting oneself through solitude, and finding one's voice. As Lambert continues to climb the ladder of success and gain recognition for her undeniable talent, I can’t help but look forward to more of her sound! Follow Lambert’s socials and pre-save her future EP to support this talented musician! Written By Rosalyn Sanchez FOLLOW LAMBERT: Instagram | Spotify   | TikTok | YouTube

"Riot" is the newest single by singer-songwriter NadiaDesree, a song about asking for help in regards to mental health, and wanting to get better because of it. NadiaDesree describes how her thoughts are controlling the way she thinks and how this makes her feel, singing "My worst enemy's inside my head". She reaches out to someone in order to get support so she can stop feeling this way, as she is greatly battling with what she sings in "Riot" as her "conflicted thoughts". She believes that seeking out support would be beneficial to her and will allow her to not feel this way anymore. "Riot" was produced by Ravi Romana, and sonically pulls from both pop and RnB genres. Transcendent synths flow throughout the song and occasionally pan back and forth in the left and right speakers. Alongside this a slow tempo pop/trap beat and background guitar chords. NadiaDesree also has amazing vocals as she sings on this song. "Riot" is a song that you would hear on the radio while driving at night or on a very popular television show. It has overall chill vibes, especially with the reverb effects on the instruments and production. Listening to it feels like you're floating through space. NadiaDesree is a music artist based in Dublin, Ireland. She majored in songwriting and earned an Honours degree for it, and she is credited as a songwriter for all of her songs. She has sang live with Irish rock band Aslan and musician Damien Dempsey. She has also released other amazing songs in addition to "Riot", including "Night and Day", "Hold On", and "Falling". In 2020, she collaborated with Eoin Kavanagh on their song "Sun and Pleasure". She has performed in the Irish music festival Electric Picnic, the Balgriffin Inn, and the Monday Club. NadiaDesree is an incredible and very talented artist! Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW NADIADESREE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Love is a very powerful emotion and it’s the most befitting word to describe what LeMac’s latest single, “Pink Balloon” is about. It’s an incredibly heartfelt and vulnerable song that talks about being present and cherishing the quiet, intimate moments with the person you love. There are very few songs that take my breath away, but LeMac’s vibrant lyrics and vivid storytelling ability captivated me from the very beginning. Speaking about her new single, LeMac said, “Pink Balloon is about holding onto the memories and feelings that you have with a special person. Knowing that no matter what happens, you’ll always cherish them and never let them go.” LeMac’s new song is sensual, emotional, and perfectly captures the array of feelings that love can create. The beautiful piano melody and angelic strings that are heard throughout “Pink Balloon” perfectly compliment LeMac’s ethereal vocals. However, with lyrics as tender and moving as the ones that we hear throughout the song, LeMac composed this song perfectly – allowing her vocals to shine through while also adding the cinematic elements of the strings and piano to help tell the full story. The music video is no different. There’s no over-the-top effects or props crowding the screen. It’s just LeMac in a room full of pink balloons – once again allowing her vocals and facial expressions to elegantly capture the essence of what this song is about. With a track as lyrically vivid as “Pink Balloon,” that’s all you really need. Jade LeMac is a 20-year-old Canadian pop singer whose genre-defying sound matches her desire to live free of labels or defined boxes. Growing up in a tight-knit, multicultural family on Vancouver Island, LeMac’s loved ones always supported her musical aspirations. The artist began writing her own songs in middle school and quickly began developing a following on Instagram. Like many other artists, LeMac leveraged the power and popularity of TikTok in 2020 and rapidly racked in 1.2 million followers and over 51 million likes. Her 2021 debut single, “Constellations” was a massive success, earning nearly 50 million streams on Spotify. The song was also brought to listeners’ attention once again when it was featured in the 2023 Netflix movie, “My Life With The Walter Boys.” LeMac has been recognized as an artist to watch by many media outlets including Teen Vogue, Pride, Popdust, and more. She was also named one of GLAAD’s “10 LGBTQ Women in Music to Listen to this Pride Month.” Her 2024 EP Confession (Deluxe Version) garnered critical acclaim and now LeMac is back with another single that showcases her storytelling ability. Listen to “Pink Balloon” on all music streaming platforms. Written By Giselle Morales FOLLOW Jade LeMac: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

R E L’s latest single “Medicine” faces becoming emotionally distraught and holding onto someone who has replaced their love with apathy. There were once days when you could look into their eyes and see the genuine care and love they held for you. Now, it has become impossible to experience loving reciprocity from them. Those same eyes look through, around over, and any other way but at you, and that makes you cry. Those patterns you convinced yourself were nothing are now screaming at you to reexamine them. You still remember that golden age you experienced together and how much “try” they had in their heart. What remains within them are secrets they hide from you, but you always tried to uncover the truth. Although they remain by your side, their mind is a million miles away. You don’t want to believe that they are done, but nothing within their actions prove otherwise. Click here to listen to "Medicine"! “Medicine” is an indie pop anthem that gradually builds into an atmospheric emotional piece reflective of the story it has to tell. This single begins with a guitar and vocal duo that are equally sweet and emotion-driven. As the first lines of the chorus are sweetly sung, other instruments are slowly incorporated. It is primarily sung in a higher register and played in a higher octave, becoming more intense with each chorus repeat. Throughout each verse, a more ambient tone is utilized, becoming more echoey and sustained against the prominent vocal performance. The bridge incorporates an even higher vocal register paired with lower background harmonies. As the final verse is sung, harder-hitting notes are played as the ambience briefly drops, drawing our attention in even more. Each element curates a unique and atmospheric experience that pairs greatly with its emotional narrative. R E L is an American singer-songwriter currently based in Los Angeles, California. She has been creating her own music for many years, and got her jumpstart into the industry after releasing a crowd-funded EP in 2015. Since releasing this project, she has amassed over 20 million streams across all music platforms and has had her music featured in many collaborative projects. Her most noticeable project was her song “Night City” which featured on the infamous video game “CYBERPUNK 2077” in 2017. The song has received millions of views and notable praise from both fans and critics. She has titled her genre of music as EVOCA-POP, since creating it in 2016. She has released many projects under this genre, including an EP titled “Evocapop: Side A”, and has proven herself to be a notable and independent creator and writer. Make sure to follow her on social media and give “Medicine” a listen! Written By Willow Gray FOLLOW R E L: Instagram | Spotify  | Facebook

Artist Noam wants nothing more than real love, a love that is bound to break but always comes back together. In her newest single off her “Unconditional Love” EP, “Solo,” presents itself as a vocally rich track, intoxicating and tender as Noam conveys the realities of a mature relationship. The track is thoughtful and raw, as Noam sings about past and future struggles that are bound to occur in any relationship. Instead of romanticizing her relationship, Noam cuts through the fantasy and presents love as far more than soulmates and fate. Love is a choice and one that needs both partner's dedication through any trial. “Baby, if it's love then you got to choose it every day,” Noam tenderly warns, “If it's really love, then it isn't fate, you gotta earn it.” Sophisticated and refined, Noam’s single is a reality check that celebrates unconditional love for what it truly is. Click here to listen to Solo! “Solo” follows along a slow, moody tempo and mellow tone, Noam's harmonics enriching each line of lyrics. The track is slightly jazzy, and incredibly rhythmic, carefully moving you into a hypnotic state. Light cymbals and soft, measured bass notes blend into her voice, creating an eased fluidity. The song is calming and smooth, reflecting the mature lines Noam beautifully sings with controlled power. Despite the chill and relaxed tone of the song, Noam's voice bursts with emotion, hitting high notes as her voice acts as its own instrument. Her voice captivates listeners with each ascent and descent, stealing the show in every verse. “Solo” is emotionally rich and vocally brilliant, as Noam unifies both voice and sound. “Solo” is Noam’s second single off her EP, “Unconditional Love.” Before the release of “Solo,” Noam marked the beginning of her EP with “March On,” a haunting piano ballad centered on lush vocals. Before going solo, Noam was the lead singer in the electric alternative pop band, Galactic Dust. She is known for her enchanting vocals, timeless melodies, authentic writing, and knack for storytelling. Noam aims for emotive music enhanced by her powerful voice and impressive vocal range. A talented lyricist and creative soul, Noam’s single denotes an assurance and unbridled soulful sound that will captivate its listeners. Check out “Solo” in the link! Written By Mia Chavez FOLLOW NOAM: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

The idea of a fresh start is an exciting thing that so many people dream about, but the truth is our experiences follow us even into new paths we take. bedlamb's debut single, "My New Life" takes on the realities of embracing change, with unresolved feelings and issues bleeding into the present, ultimately displaying the importance of dealing with your issues. The song opens by drawing listeners into the speaker's change, with a mind riddled with confusion. With a profound metaphor, the lyrics "deep in my body's basement, you're taking up the space" hit hard, using the idea of clutter and deep-rooted physical restraints to capture the essence of unresolved emotion. This track tells listeners that you can't run away from your problems, inviting them to address whatever they need to in order to move on with life. Resonant guitar fingerpicking opens the track with a glowing, somber sound. Nico's soft, breathy vocals work slowly through the lyrics in the first verse before rising high in the chorus as Jack's vocals layer in rounds before they harmonize in a hauntingly beautiful wave of sound. Gentle percussion works simply into the chorus, and onward as Jack's singing takes over the second verse. The way the singing dynamically builds creates an introspective sense of reflection, as a resonant power comes from the blending harmonies throughout the track. Fans of Bon Iver and Phoebe Bridgers will love the impactful confessional style of this alternative folk song. bedlamb is a dynamic LA-based musical duo whose collaboration grew out of a joint songwriting challenge as they studied music. Jack Brady brings an exciting pop style, which meets Nico Muhoberac's folk rock to create bedlamb's folk pop sound. The band has performed alongside artists like Scream Journal and Emi Grace at Hotel Ziggy, supported by We Found New Music , and they use their social media platforms to showcase their musical talents. The duo are set to release their first EP in 2025, so keep an eye out for their releases and keep up to date with their music by checking out the links below. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW bedlamb: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | YouTube

When a meaningful part of your life comes to a close, you can either fold into feelings of loss or embrace the beauty that you were lucky enough the have. Ian Biggs' song "THE END" takes the more fulfilling approach to a goodbye, basking in the joyful memories when a relationship has run its course. No bitterness or malice poisons the wholesome message of this song, as there is merely acceptance that their time together must not continue. Powerful imagery with feelings of warmth and change permeate a mature sense of understanding into the track with lyrics like "these California sunsets don't hit the way they once did, but we lived in the light they would bring." Appreciating the growth and togetherness the relationship provided, the chorus raises a glass to the glory of the love these two people shared. With a glowing message that not all breakups need to be sad, this heartwarming track will touch you with its compassionate expression of gratitude. The track begins with a sound of bright guitar and upbeat percussion. Ian's vocals move rhythmically through the verse, with a nostalgia-twinged tone and a melismatic emphasis on some of the lyrics that paints the tune with a precious, personal expression. Echoes of the vocals and electronic instrumentals fold a pop energy into the track, with a particularly ambient brightness through the chorus. The singing through the chorus shows off Ian's range, with a sound of passion coming through the way he belts out his genuine and kind message. Listeners will love the lighthearted depth in this reminiscent expressive pop song. Ian Biggs is an artist from Connecticut with an exciting pop rock style. His career as a musician began with a spark caused by resonating with a poem in the eighth grade before delving into songwriting, learning guitar, and forming a band that became the musical group All in Blind . He expanded his horizons in joining the group WHATEVER WE ARE , and has performed supporting artists like Dermot Kennedy, Capitol Cities, and Neon Trees. As a guitarist, Ian toured with Jesse McCartney and Katy Tiz. He has collaborated with other artists like Danimal and LOYAL-1 , and has developed a deeply profound lyricism in his own music. Check out the links below to listen to his songs. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW IAN: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Step into a fully fledged storybook romance with Sam Heselwood’s latest single ‘Kind Love’. This song, in its entirety, is a love song. ‘Kind Love’ is dedicated to finding someone who makes your life more enjoyable, more loving & kinder, simply by just being there. Heselwood describes the “normalcy” of going through life and exploring uncharted waters, such as life dealing its heaviest hand at times. As complications happen in every relationship, this situation of finding true love is not left undisturbed by life and aging. Heselwood paints a picture of the positives and negatives of figuring out one’s life and their path in it, yet the overall message of ‘Kind Love’ does not leave a sour taste in the audience’s mouth. The song does not focus on the negative and rather embraces the positive – being loving someone, being loved by them, and knowing that you’ll figure out whatever comes to you – together. ‘Kind Love’ speaks to me on a personal level, touching me from the moment I played the track. The delicate, light picking of guitar alongside Heselwood’s raw vocals transcended the song for me. With the song already having spoken to me from its lyrics, Heselwood’s vocal abilities and layering of instrumental elements just made the experience sweeter. While Heselwood’s style is one that is difficult to pinpoint, as I believe he has fantastic range and can apply his abilities to several varying genres, it is one that I resonate with and find positive similarities with other artists. Artists who incorporate more “raw” elements of song making, such as using acoustic guitar, like Noah Kahan and Gregory Alan Isakov come to mind as I dive into Heselwood’s world. Except, unlike Kahan and Isakov, this is Heselwood’s own world and space. His lyrics, and overall music, feel entirely personal and do not lack detail in the slightest. While that vein of a crossover between indie/folk and pop music is done well by artists like Kahan and Isakov, Heselwood is bringing something new to the table and with a fresh, personal, and truthful perspective. Sam Heselwood is a singer-songwriter from Christchurch, New Zealand. Spending his childhood years in the small town of Darfield, music did not come at this time for Heselwood. He was encouraged by his primary school teacher to explore music, leading to Heselwood falling in love with it. By high school, Heselwood had become a rugby player and took time off music to focus on the sport. At age 21, Heselwood was back into the full swing of music and entered the Golden Guitar awards, where he became a finalist with his song “High Off Love”. Now leaning fully into the world of music, Heselwood puts a focus on family, mental health, and love in his craft. Inspired by artists like Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi, Heselwood incorporates both a powerful voice and honest lyricism into his work. Written By Madison Spies FOLLOW SAM HESELWOOD: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Musician Shawn Mendes has released his fifth studio record Shawn , his second eponymous album. In it, he details how his life has been after cancelling his tour to focus on himself and his mental health, finally taking a well-deserved break. T R A C K L I S T 1. Who I Am 2. Why Why Why 3. That's the Dream 4. Nobody Knows 5. Isn't That Enough 6. Heart of Gold 7. Heavy 8. That'll Be The Day 9. In Between 10. The Mountain 11. Rollin' Right Along 12. Hallelujah Mendes was just a young kid from Ontario, Canada who decided to download the Vine app and film himself playing the guitar and singing. Eleven years and several chart-topping hits later, he's one of the biggest names of pop music, garnering massive amounts of success and international fame. With songs like "Stitches", "Treat You Better", and "Se ñorita" under his belt, Mendes has made a huge and everlasting impact on not just the music industry, but the world. Who I Am Shawn begins with an acoustic introduction, the song "Who I Am". Mendes realizes he needs to take a break from performing to mentally recover from the pressures of working so much, such as making music and going on tour. He brings up how he had to cancel the remainder of the dates of his tour Wonder: The World Tour in July 2022 after seven shows in order to focus on his mental health. Based on how upset he was when he had to cancel a show due to losing his voice in his documentary Shawn Mendes: In Wonder , its obvious how terrible Mendes feels about having to have done that, but knows he needs to take a much needed break. Why Why Why "Why Why Why", while an upbeat folk song with echoing harmonization and sweet guitar chords, is full of regret. Mendes does not understand why he made certain decisions in his life, such as turning someone down and performing and making music even though he was tired and needed a break. This is all taking a toll on him, mentally and physically, and that he feels like everything is going in a circle and he keeps having to reexperience these distressful situations. Him singing "Why" three times in a row can be interpreted as a call out for help, as well as him unable to understand what's going on in his life. That's the Dream This song occurs during Mendes either taking a pause on his relationship with a partner or after the relationship has ended. Mendes does not want to be apart from this person, feeling loneliness as he looks back on the relationship during its better moments. He still wants to be with this person, but at the same time realizes its not in the cards for their relationship to continue, but also is discouraged by this. He explains that he misses this person over another acoustic beat with a slower tempo, paired with guitar, making this an indie-pop song with more folk influence. Nobody Knows Mendes wants to know where the love two people in a relationship once had goes when they break up. A relationship could have many great qualities, but there could be something blocking it from continuing, which causes the relationship to end. What happens to all of those great qualities that keeping the relationship afloat until that point? That is what Mendes wonders about on "Nobody Knows". He is joined by another singer as he belts out the chorus in this slowed down track with prominent drums that have changing rhythms and are unique, alongside notable guitar riffs. Isn't That Enough In contrast to the overwhelming success of Mendes's music career, an outstanding achievement itself, there are the little things in life that he has grown an appreciation for. Instead of focusing on a bigger picture, he pays attention to what is going on around him in his personal life, as well as in nature. He views these occurrences in a new perspective, and asks "Isn't that enough?", realizing that a Hollywood lifestyle may no longer suit him, and perhaps a quiet and peaceful life could take its place and it would make more sense to live like that and not experience the consequences of fame anymore. Heart of Gold Another beautiful track on this album is not complete without reverberated country guitar riffs. "Heart of Gold" is dedicated to Dejomi, who Mendes was friends with during his early teenage years. Dejomi suffered from drug addiction and passed away when Mendes was young, which heavily affected Mendes, including not being able to go to his funeral because he was touring at the time. Before this, Dejomi and Mendes grew apart due to Mendes becoming busy with his music career, and Mendes was unable to express his pain in learning his friend died until he began making this song. Heavy "Heavy" is a mix of power pop and folk as Mendes belts out that he needs support and does not want to feel alone anymore. He has felt isolated while on tour, experiencing the same night over and over again, and was unable to open up because he felt as though he was not ready yet. This lead to him rejecting it and trying to push down his feelings so he could continue working, but eventually he realized this is an unhealthy way to cope with his emotions. Now, he wants to find and have stability in his life by turning to people he knows he can count on for guidance. That'll Be The Day "The Day" that is mentioned on the title of this track is when Mendes will no longer have feelings for a past partner, which is also the day he dies. He believes he will take the feelings he still has for this person with him to his grave, because that is how strongly he feels about his former relationship. Mendes even says that he can move on, but mentally he will not actually be able to, and he believes that as long as he is still alive, there is still a chance for the love of the past relationship to be reignited. Leading up to the song's outro is a guitar-plucking solo, not before Mendes once again provides incredible harmonies on this album. In Between Mendes references the previous track "Isn't That Enough" in "In Between" in regards to not wanting to have a long-term relationship and eventually settle down, and instead wants to slowly ease into a relationship. He does not want a short-term romance, but also needs time and space without immediately diving into marriage and other life-changing decisions. Mendes is aware the person he is with does not share the same perspective on this relationship, feeling as though there can only be one outcome, breaking up or always staying together, but he tries to convince the person he is with to appreciate the time they spend together no matter the outcome. The Mountain Mendes puts down all gossip, speculations, and any form of discouragement charged in his direction in "The Mountain". One of the cons of being famous is the amount of hatred and negativity you have to face on a day-to-day basis, and Mendes is no stranger to that, even at the start of his career when he was just a kid. After reconnecting with nature, Mendes declares how meaningless celebrity culture is, especially when there is so much beauty in life, and how he does not let people making assumptions about the kind of person he is affect him. Rollin' Right Along Mendes realizes he has to let go of his past in order to live in the present and move on into the future. He says that when he was younger, he felt as though he was trying to grow up too fast, most likely due to the pressures of being in the music industry at a young age. Now, however, he knows he can't turn back time and change the past so he just has to keep going forward. This also applies to his former relationships. Mendes's love life has been a topic that has been featured on tracks on this album, and this includes trying to let go of those he once had relationships with. Hallelujah The final track of Shawn is a stunning and angelic cover of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. This is a beautiful outro for an amazing album. Fitting with the other eleven tracks, soft guitar chords are played throughout the song, and Mendes's incredible vocals pair perfectly with them. Also in the song are strings and an organ, and harmonies that bounce off imaginary church walls and intertwine in the center of the cathedral to create a delightful and extraordinary musical masterpiece. It takes a lot of skill to cover "Hallelujah", but Mendes is able to do it effortlessly. After a hiatus, it can be hard for musicians to find their musical footing again, but Shawn Mendes has clearly done it with ease. This is an incredible album, showcasing his talented singing and songwriting skills. Mental health is very important to talk about and I'm very glad he was able to make a record out of his experiences and open up about what he has been going through. I really enjoy the direction he is going in music-wise; he is able to encapsulate a wonderful combination of pop, country, folk, and alternative, as well as the other writers and producers that helped make Shawn . Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW SHAWN MENDES Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.