Ive had a crazy two years where the most inspiring things happened to me, he tells EW.
Youre going to be able to hear that on the album.
Below, Mendes dishes on what to expect from his new record.
Credit: George Pimentel/WireImage
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You recorded your new album in peaceful upstate New York.
Why did you want to get away from big cities like New York or L.A.?
SHAWN MENDES:We recorded at the Clubhouse near Woodstock, and its the coolest.
We would go up there for weeks at a time.
We were writing on the hills, it was exactly that.
Wed take a break, eat dinner, then write till 3 a.m. producing and writing on repeat.
You were working on your debut album,Handwritten, when you were 15, 16 years old.
Now that youre a few years older, what are you writing about thats new for you?
Its two things: from 15 to 18, your whole view on life changes.
Every single thing changes.
And thats just what happens to everybody during that age gap.
But also Ive had a crazy two years where the most inspiring things happened to me.
Youre going to be able to hear that on the album.
What will surprise your fans the most?
I think people will be surprised by how edgy we get with the lyrics and the concepts.
What does that look like for you?
Youve been performing new songs likeRuinfor a while now.
Is that officially on the album, and whats it been like road-testing new material?
Ruin will be released as an instant grat track soon.
Its my first song ever on electric guitar, Im going to have a solo and everything.
Its a really good feeling, and the fan reaction to it has been so amazing.
That song has a bit of an R&B-soul vibe to it.
Are you branching out a lot in terms of your sound on this record?
Definitely, in every way.
Im kind of still learning my voice and learning my style.
There are a lot of different aspects to the album.
You opened for Taylor Swift last summer.
What did you take away from being on the road with her?
She was just working her ass off every day, it was crazy to see.
It was really inspiring for me to see that.
The people who are No.
1 for a reason.
Nah, I dont really ever plan on putting down the guitar, to be honest with you.
Id love to work with Bruno Mars and Ryan Tedder.
And obviously Ed Sheeran.
I think theyre all phenomenal songwriters, so as soon as I get a chance, thatd be awesome.
Do you think about writing for other artists?
You must have plenty of songs lying around that didnt make the album.
I wrote a few tracks I just havent pitched to anyone yet.
I think its really sweet that youve been shouting-out Drake and Justin Trudeau on your Twitter account.
Are you overflowing with Canadian pride right now?
Canadians are kicking ass right now, so I have to show it.
America is kind of crushing on your prime minister right now.
Are you guys as obsessed with him as we are?
Oh yeah, we love him.
Everyone is so stoked about him.
Tune in to Mendes performance July 8 on NBC.
