After a long year of touring, Shawn Mendes is back again with a new single year after his previous self-titled album was released.
The incredibly catchy, ‘If I Can’t Have You’, feels very classic Shawn; the piano, synth and guitar are relatively stripped back highlighting his extraordinary, raw vocal range. However, this single also has a fresh hint of something new and exciting, despite Mendes stating that this is a stand-alone single and is not the start of a new album sequence.
There is no doubt that this single will be a major hit, full of vibrant energy when performed live. On stage, Shawn Mendes never fails to make the crowd feel immersed in the emotions of his songs. This new single has the capacity to be both an opening and closing song of his set.
‘If I Can’t Have You’ is a punchy and upbeat, yet smooth tune that suits just about every mood. It suggests power, lust, sadness, but it is also an absolute party jam. Despite focusing on the subject of an unattainable lover, the single is a perfect feel-good melody for post-exams. I will now be forever hoping this bop will come on in Unit 1 so I can feel its full potential as a dance tune.
