Shawn Mendes, Where Were You in the Morning? | Track Review 🎵

Shawn Mendes enters more mature territory on “Where Were You in the Morning?”, his fourth single from his self-titled third studio album.  

Shawn Mendes has a chance to make a huge splash with Shawn Mendes, his highly-anticipated third studio album. What’s amazing is that the 19-year old Canadian heartthrob is already on his third album! In advance of his new project, Mendes has released four singles: the soaring “In My Blood”, the pop-soul infused “Lost in Japan”, the youthful Khalid duet, “Youth”, and the most recent of the bunch, “Where Were You in the Morning?”

“Where were you in the morning baby?
You didn’t leave your number for me
Left me without a warning, baby
I said where were you in the morning, baby?”

Clearly, listening to “Where Were You in the Morning,” Shawn Mendes isn’t a kid anymore.  The title suggests this prior to listening, but the lyrics – particularly the aforementioned lyrics from the chorus – confirm it.  Mendes, or at least the male protagonist within the narrative, has clearly experienced a one-night stand.  Mendes doesn’t get sexual lyrically, but clearly, boy and girl had ‘something,’ and it turned out to be temporary as she was gone the next morning.  The topic has been the center of many songs, so the effectiveness isn’t the least be questionable.

In regards to the performance, Mendes remains a force to be reckoned with vocally, flaunting his beautiful, distinct tone.  Furthermore, he shows off some great falsetto. He’s backed by soulful-pop production, guitar-driven, which is a backdrop he has excelled at throughout his career.

Final Thoughts

To reiterate, Shawn Mendes isn’t a kid anymore – he’s a young man.  Young men, particularly as his age have a number of experiences as they approach adulthood.  That’s exactly what Mendes captures on “Where Were You in the Morning?” The subject matter is another step into musical maturity, making him connect to audiences older than him.  But, eschewing highlighting ‘the act’ itself, Mendes still knows the audience where his bread is buttered.

Shawn Mendes • Shawn Mendes• Island • Release: 5.25.18

Photo Credit: Island