After a two-year hiatus to prioritize his mental health, Shawn Mendes is returning to the spotlight with new music.
Mendes confirmed on Wednesday that he’ll release his fifth studio album, “Shawn,” on Oct. 18. Two singles from the album, “Why Why Why” and “Isn’t That Enough,” will drop Aug. 8, which happens to be the three-time Grammy nominee’s 26th birthday.
“Music really can be medicine,” Mendes wrote on Instagram. “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.”
“Honestly thank god for my friends and family,” he continued. “Life can be brutal but having a small group of people you deeply trust to walk you through makes it so much better. I have no idea how I would have made it through the last couple years let alone make an album without you.”
In press notes, “Shawn” is billed as Mendes’ “most musically intimate and lyrically honest work to date.” The singer’s announcement was accompanied by a video trailer in which he croons an acoustic version of “Isn’t That Enough” by a campfire.
Watch a trailer for Shawn Mendes’ new album, featuring the single “Isn’t That Enough,” below.
Mendes has maintained a low public profile since July 2022, when he canceled his Wonder: The World Tour after just seven performances, citing the need for a mental health break.
“I started this tour excited to finally get back to playing live after a long break due to the pandemic, but the reality is I was not at all ready for how difficult touring would be after this time away,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “After speaking more with my team and working with an incredible group of health professionals, it has become more clear that I need to take the time I’ve never taken personally to ground myself and come back stronger.”
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal in February 2023, Mendes said he’d been using his time off the road to attend therapy and “understand how I was feeling and what was making me feel that way.”
“I think the last year and a half has been the most eye-opening and growing and beautiful and just healing process of my life,” he explained. “I’m also really grateful for all the people that were so accepting and loving and kind and understanding.”
Mendes has been dropping hints about a comeback for some time. In September, he’ll headline Brazil’s Rock in Rio festival, followed by an appearance at Mexico’s Corona Capital festival in November. He also made surprise appearances onstage with fellow musicians Noah Kahan and Niall Horan during their respective tours this year.