Handwritten
Shawn Mendes · 2015
70 min · 19 tracks · pop music
A polished blend of heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies, resonating with the youthful spirit of pop music.
Top tracks — play these first
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Stitches — This track captures the emotional turmoil of heartbreak with its infectious chorus and relatable lyrics, marking Mendes' breakout moment in mainstream pop.
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Life of the Party Start here — As one of Mendes' earliest hits, this song showcases his vocal range and lyrical maturity, setting the tone for his career as a serious artist.
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I Know What You Did Last Summer — Featuring Camila Cabello, this duet blends Mendes' and Cabello's voices beautifully, highlighting themes of youth and secrecy while expanding his musical collaboration reach.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends catchy melodies with heartfelt lyrics but lacks strong cohesion due to live tracks disrupting flow.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent tempo, while the second half introduces slower ballads that shift the emotional tone.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the pop sensibility.
- The album includes live versions of three songs, which provide a different energy and showcase Mendes' performance style.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- catchy sing-alongs with friends
- wave-like emotional pacing
- heartfelt lyrics for reflection
- uplifting moments of youthful nostalgia
- live energy in every track
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- dislike live performance elements
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Mendes' reputation after viral success, debuting at number one.
- Career context
- Released on April 14, 2015, Handwritten is Shawn Mendes' debut studio album following his viral success on Vine. At this point, Mendes was transitioning from a teenage internet sensation to a mainstream pop artist, capitalizing on his growing popularity with singles that showcased his songwriting and vocal abilities.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ed Sheeran· James Bay· Charlie Puth
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Stitches
The bridge where the narrator reflects on the pain of a recent breakup while emphasizing vulnerability.
This moment reveals a raw emotional depth that contrasts with the upbeat production, showcasing Mendes' ability to convey complex feelings.
Tracklist
- 1 Life of the Party Start here 3:34
- 2 Stitches 3:26
- 3 Never Be Alone 3:35
- 4 Kid in Love (live) 3:45
- 5 I Don’t Even Know Your Name (live) 3:00
- 6 Something Big 2:41
- 7 Strings (live) 3:10
- 8 Aftertaste (live) 2:49
- 9 Air 3:14
- 10 Crazy 3:11
- 11 A Little Too Much (live) 3:07
- 12 This Is What It Takes 3:50
- 13 I Know What You Did Last Summer 3:44
- 14 Act Like You Love Me 3:25
- 15 Running Low 4:35
- 16 Memories 3:53
- 17 Don't Want Your Love 2:51
- 18 Lost 3:17
- 19 Handwritten Demos 9:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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