18-year-old singer and songwriter Shawn Mendes, released a heart-breaking album called Illuminate on Friday September 23, 2016. Shawn’s new album is a softer way of breaking up with someone, through music. Shawn started discussing an upcoming album toward the end of May through twitter saying he was “overwhelmed with happiness” from “listening back to these songs.

Shawn dropped the first single off the album titled “Treat You Better” earlier this year in June.  The song automatically became a huge hit; it was #1 on iTunes and Billboard almost instantly. “Treat You Better” talks about how Shawn feels he can treat someone better than “he” can. Fans of Shawn automatically thought that there is a love triangle involved with the whole concept of the song.

The second single Shawn dropped is a slower song called “Ruin.” He released this track on July 8. This song is about Shawn reminiscing with someone who he was once close with, but is not anymore. He talks about how he clearly misses this person and he wants to know if they miss him back.

The third single Shawn released is titled “Three Empty Words,” which was released on August 3.  This song is Shawn talking about how hard it is because him and his partner just got out of a relationship together. In the song he states, “No, I won’t keep saying those three empty words.” Fans later figured the meaning of the song was that the relationship became dry and it was hard to stay loving each other, and just saying “those three empty words” (I love you) had less meaning the more they said it.

Shawn’s fourth single is titled “Mercy” and was released August 17. This song was one of many that fans considered to be very powerful; some fans even said it was a big competitor with Adele’s famous song, “Hello.” The song talks about Shawn’s partner hurting him continuously and all he wants is freedom from it. The strong lyrics state that although he is torn apart from this toxic relationship, all he wants is freedom from it. About a month after the song was released, Shawn released the music video.

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Shawn’s fifth and final single before the album was released is titled “Don’t Be a Fool” and was released on September 14.  The song is wrapped around a long distance relationship. Shawn talks about how he can no longer continue with a relationship because he is “always on the move.” All Shawn wants is for this person is to be happy with someone else that is not him.

Junior Samantha Potenza idolizes the singer and shared her opinion about the album.  Samantha stated, “Shawn has improved tremendously from his vine videos to his second album, Illuminate. It provides songs that you can listen to no matter what kind of mood you’re in. He is very talented and does a great job showcasing his talent in each song on the album.”

Illuminate by Shawn Mendes instantly hit #1 on iTunes. Shawn Mendes is very proud of his hard work and great achievements; he is also very satisfied with the positive feedback from his fans. Shawn is a fast rising star, and he has his fans to thank because they worked very hard to get his album to #1 by supporting him.