Shawn Mendes debuted his new single “Nobody Knows” off his upcoming self-titled album, at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.
The song appears to comment on his break-up with Camila Cabello, who is also slated to perform tonight, as he questions, “When you’re so in love and souls touch but it’s still not enough where does it go? Nobody knows.” In contrast to the other performances of the night, Mendes’ was more pared down, with the artist playing acoustic guitar, accompanied by drums and electric guitar.
Shawn, the singer’s awaited follow-up to his 2020 LP, Wonder, was written and co-produced by the artist, made with Scott Harris, Mike Sabath, Nate Mercereau and Eddie Benjamin. Grammy-winning songwriter Amy Allen (who helped write Sabrina Carpenter’s latest slew of hits in addition to being known for her solo work) and Ethan Gruska (who has produced records for indie heavyweights like Phoebe Bridgers and Bon Iver, as well as being a successful recording artist) also have co-songwriting credits. The album arrives on Oct. 18.
While announcing the record on Instagram, Mendes reflected on the emotional process of creating this record. “Music really can be medicine,” he wrote. “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.”
Mendes continued, “Honestly thank god for my friends and family. 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.”
Fans have speculated that the album was written about the dissolution of his on-and-off relationship with Cabello. In previous single, “Why Why Why,” he sings about a pregnancy scare, with the lyrics, “I thought I was about to be a father/Shook me to the core, I’m still a kid.”
