Handwritten
by Shawn Mendes
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Apr 14, 2015
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 246 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 159 out of 246
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 246
  3. Negative: 69 out of 246
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  1. carmnen3
    Sep 29, 2016
    10
    he is so talented what a voice he has. it is true that he has a pretty face bust he also has an amazing talent and he is so open with people and so cheerful. an artist needs more then jusdt voice, and he has it all.
  2. 0000000g
    Apr 16, 2015
    10
    ja pensaram em parar de dar nota negativa no metacritic pra album por que não foi com a cara do cantor e irem comer uma xoxotinha?? pois o cd esta otimoh
  3. MissX
    May 4, 2015
    0
    I listened this album yesterday despite it's been almost a month since the release, so here's my review. (Too late).
    Shawn is cute? Yes. Handsome? A lot! Hot? 100%, but the problem with this is the fact that it seems he tried to prove he doesn't belong to the 'teen idol' tags, and turning his work into a pretentious one with "mature" lyrics. There's no excuse because, how many debut acts    I listened this album yesterday despite it's been almost a month since the release, so here's my review. (Too late).
    Shawn is cute? Yes. Handsome? A lot! Hot? 100%, but the problem with this is the fact that it seems he tried to prove he doesn't belong to the 'teen idol' tags, and turning his work into a pretentious one with "mature" lyrics. There's no excuse because, how many debut acts has given us incredible first albums? Kendrick Lamar with 'good kid, m.A.A.d city', Lady Gaga with 'The Fame' or Arctic Monkeys with 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not'.
    So Shawn, try to keep it mature, but not pretentious, please. I still love you, anyway. You don't know the pain for this 0 score.    … Expand
  4. Lordeney
    Apr 18, 2015
    10
    eu te amo muito gostoso do caralho me fode porra o cd é ótimo parabens merece 100 com certeza te amooooooooooooo seu lindo e quem botar 0 vai se fuder tá ligado
  5. paulotenniel
    Apr 17, 2015
    10
    O CD TA ÓTIMO, MELHOR CD, ME ENGOLE TODOOOOO, UM DOS MELHORES ÁLBUNSDE 2015 ATÉ AGORA, VEM HIT, JÁ VOU COMPRAR #BUY, COMPREM TA MT BOMM, AMO ESSE CDDD
  6. diegonelli
    Sep 13, 2015
    5
    Well at first I liked this album but now that I hear it again it's terribly boring! I mean, Shawn tried to be a Ed Sheeran but failed. I still like 2 or 3 songs from there.
  7. imgod
    Apr 15, 2015
    0
    This is the worst album i've listened. What kind of people like this?? It also seems to be a a kid singing, come on man, write songs with good lyrics not like this ****
  8. TIBIAFOREER
    Apr 15, 2015
    0
    namoral eu gostei d voz do shawn e do album em geral tb mas pudia ser melhozinho neh meu lindo, espero q o prox seja mt lacrante e mais adulto sabe,,,, mas adorei bjss
  9. lucascabbral
    Apr 15, 2015
    0
    eu não esperava grandes coisas de um viner mesmo, mas esse album conseguiu ser pior do que eu esperava.
    ainda não acredito que gastei meu tempo ouvindo um cd horrivel como esse.
  10. StolenDance
    May 3, 2015
    0
    I hate when "new promises" say they're fresh and they'll come with a new sound. I couldn't stand this album at all, and I think I still can't, is just another teen idol with Ed Sheeran's and John Mayer's reminiscents. It seems the kid has talent, but he must improve... a lot.
  11. mcmelody
    Apr 15, 2015
    0
    como q alguem dis que isso é melhr q minhas musicas eu canto mt melhor q esse bostinha que se mete a cantor, por favor fassa musicas boas dps lanse um cd
  12. lucastle1
    Apr 15, 2015
    10
    Best male teen album since Nick Jonas by Nick Jonas, this album is amazing, it's a good debut and i hope he grow up in the industry, this guy deserves it, justin bieber could neverrrrr
  13. danibianchi
    Apr 15, 2015
    0
    stop trying to make your career happen , will not happen. omg is awful, as you could release it ? because it is the worst thing I ever heard. ewwwwwww.
  14. GustoKsmva
    Oct 16, 2015
    10
    o album é otimo, cheio de canções emocionantes/apaixonadas, impossivel esquecer a voz do shawn, nao merecia o amarelo tour, shawn mendes nao é algo comun igual a justin bieber.
  15. Gamby
    Apr 21, 2015
    10
    UM DOS MELHORES ÁLBUNS DE 2015 SIM, RESTA ACEITAR, VOU ATÉ COMPRAR ESSA BELEZURA
    VOCÊS DEVIAM PARAR DE DAR NOTA NEGATIVA PRO ÁLBUM SENDO QUE ELE É ÓTIMO, VÃO LAVAR UMA LOUÇA
  16. luislemos
    Jun 25, 2015
    8
    O álbum não é tão ruim como alguns estão falando, tem músicas descartáveis sim, mas também tem hinos como Stitches, Life Of The Party e Aftertaste. Senti falta de Show You.
  17. Maurus
    Apr 20, 2015
    9
    It's hard to judge the debut album of a so young singer, in a age that we are still discovering our own identity. The content is not much different of other teen-boy's albums, but it sure sounds more honest and alive than them.

    Attention to 'Never Be Alone', 'Stitches', and 'Aftertaste'.
  18. Mackro
    Nov 18, 2015
    0
    This is a joke right?...We're not taking this seriously right?...Please tell me he's being paid in monopoly money or something...With all the good Canadian artists/bands out there (just found out this guy's Canadian ugh..) you'd think People like this and Justin Bieber wouldn't stand a chance, but, instead they're front runners in the music industry. This makes me very sad...
  19. mirelle144
    Apr 18, 2015
    10
    this is one of the best albums of 2015 ever! shawn is amazing and i loved all the musics! really talent!!!11!! really love shawn!1!! amazing!!!!!!!!!!
  20. millenaborcoski
    Apr 16, 2015
    10
    I really loved this album, I'm so proud of shawn that barely fits me. There are songs that I dismiss as The Weight, but others, I don't get tired of hearing as Air, Crazy, Imagination, Bring it back. By far one of the best male teen albums, second only to Nick Jonas by Nick Jonas. I love so much this guy, omfg.
  21. DanielSaldanaG
    Feb 20, 2016
    9
    In a few words, it's one of the best albums by a man in 2015. Shawn did an excellent vocal performance in this one. The album has really good lyrics overall. The acoustic recording and production here is pretty nice. In the other hand, some tracks are actually pretty week and tend to imbalance the album essence, which can be counterproductive and it leaves Handwritten with a few songs thatIn a few words, it's one of the best albums by a man in 2015. Shawn did an excellent vocal performance in this one. The album has really good lyrics overall. The acoustic recording and production here is pretty nice. In the other hand, some tracks are actually pretty week and tend to imbalance the album essence, which can be counterproductive and it leaves Handwritten with a few songs that can serve as singles.… Expand
  22. Lakiz
    Sep 16, 2015
    0
    Handwritten is so kinda **** !. Stitches is only my favorite . another songs don't make me listen to this more than once. His lyric tried to be mature but he failed .His rap-melody remind me of Ed Sheeran but his talent can't even compare to Ed
  23. Kcir
    Jan 30, 2016
    0
    stop trying to make your career happen, will not happen. omg is awful, as you could release it ? because it is the worst thing I ever heard. ewwwwwww.
  24. henry45
    Apr 16, 2015
    10
    otimo album ,uma biblia teen , shawn seraa o futuro rei teen , alem de ser gostoso e deve ter uma piroca bm grande, rostinho de anjo ,jeito de comedor esse e o shawn ,aposto q sao as belieber q estao dando nota negativa pq sabem q o shawn vai barrar o justin bieber ,recocadas
  25. vicpistolao
    Apr 22, 2015
    0
    parece sons de privada junto com violao e outros sons,esse sucessor do michael jackson é uma bosta,como q conseguiu chegar em #1 e artpop n?
    boy ARTPOP on itunes
  26. leonardohita
    Apr 14, 2015
    10
    Well, Shawn it's not a "new Justin Bieber" him is the " First Shawn Mendes", This album is very amazing, your vocals is the best of a teen, it's much better than Justin Bieber and Cody Simpson. Shawn Mendes it's a bet in this year.
  27. quotes
    Apr 21, 2015
    4
    I can just say one thing about Handwritten: boring. Shawn shows his style on this album, what is good and mature for a teen singer and compare him to Bieber is stupid because they are very different. But the songs don't make me listen to this more than once. In spite of this, any song makes me listen to it more than once, the album could be better, for sure. Shawn is still 16 years old, soI can just say one thing about Handwritten: boring. Shawn shows his style on this album, what is good and mature for a teen singer and compare him to Bieber is stupid because they are very different. But the songs don't make me listen to this more than once. In spite of this, any song makes me listen to it more than once, the album could be better, for sure. Shawn is still 16 years old, so he has a long journey to grow up and become a great artist, but now he is just a teenager with a little attention and his debut is disappointing.… Expand
  28. savannamartins
    Apr 15, 2015
    10
    It is one of the best male teens albums released this decade, Shawn is really proving that prefer quality than simply hitar with a garbage music. He has an incredible future ahead
  29. MatheusSouza
    Oct 21, 2015
    10
    O Handwritten merece um 10 só pelo fato de todas as canções presentes nele serem ótimas. Os vocais, as letras e a emoção que o Shawn Mendes pôs nesse álbum, fazem dele um trabalho especial, que ao mesmo tempo que apresenta canções agitadas como "Something Big", apresenta canções apaixonantes como "Air"
    Com certeza um dos melhores álbuns de 2015.
  30. Noeyz
    Sep 23, 2016
    0
    It's very boring album .Stitches is only song that be catchy . The others is meh and Lyric is so childish
    This album and this artist is so overrated .He is only good looking
  31. truerowance
    Apr 15, 2015
    0
    i hope shawn realize he CAN'T write songs and go back to making vines, or maybe buy songs from other people like Beyoncé do, at least he will have someone to blame in case the album have low critics

    stop trying to make shawn mendes happen, its not going to happen
  32. cammillyoliver
    Apr 15, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Best album in the year, Grammy is coming soon... love it! I loved his songs, and her style, i'ts a good debut! Sorry, but it's true. Others could never… Expand
  33. SimeonLee
    Apr 16, 2015
    10
    I generally like the album. It's really nice, with some catchy hooks. The kid has done nothing wrong don't hate on him. His lyrics and sound is real and pure, not electric. I like it.
  34. biammansour
    Apr 15, 2015
    10
    This is the first Album of Shawn Mendes, for a Beginner is a Perfect album with Sweet Lyrics, Great Job. he is just starting her carrer, so I think that is good for a ''Start''.
  35. Mad-Hatter
    Aug 25, 2015
    3
    This album is boring and the lyrics aren't something to remember. Shawn is cute but if he can't made something better than this, then he could come back to vine. His voice here is just ok.
  36. MariaSwift
    May 11, 2015
    0
    Como as pessoas conseguiram gostar disso? Esse é com certeza o PIOR álbum de 2015 ele é um lixo sonoro. Até o maldito álbum da Iggy consegue ser melhor. Até a disco grafia da Demi Lovato (será que ela tem discografia?) consegue ser melhor que esse lixo. ATÉ O ÁLBUM DO 5SOCORRO É MELHOR QUE ESSA COISA!
    As pessoas estão puxando MUITO o saco desse álbum, ele não é isso tudo, aliás ele não é    Como as pessoas conseguiram gostar disso? Esse é com certeza o PIOR álbum de 2015 ele é um lixo sonoro. Até o maldito álbum da Iggy consegue ser melhor. Até a disco grafia da Demi Lovato (será que ela tem discografia?) consegue ser melhor que esse lixo. ATÉ O ÁLBUM DO 5SOCORRO É MELHOR QUE ESSA COISA!
    As pessoas estão puxando MUITO o saco desse álbum, ele não é isso tudo, aliás ele não é quase nada. Mereceu ser a maior queda da indústria, aliás merecia coisa pior.
    Espero que flope bastante, espero que não tenha nenhum hit. Esse álbum não merece nada mais que o maldito flop.    … Expand
  37. MarcosMendes13
    Jul 25, 2017
    10
    Simplesmente maravilhoso, qualidade sonora perfeita, letras perfeitas, melodias únicas e lindas, muito bom pra se ouvir quando ta na bad e tudo mais. Um álbum desses bicho merece mais que 10!! Essas pessoas q deram nota 0 nem se quer devem ter escutado ou tem algum problema serio de audição. é isso.
  38. Jake1455
    Dec 1, 2017
    2
    You can have a "pretty" face and be the imagination of immature girls who do not know what real music is, but your shawn music is very bad, lyrics that have nothing special and sometimes do not make sense, you do not transmit emotions with your music, horrible rhythms in short, an album not recommended
  39. ErickAsked
    May 25, 2018
    3
    Eu não gostei, é muito depressivo, e a voz dele é muito chata, espero que ele melhore
  40. Vaibav
    Mar 10, 2019
    0
    Don't listen this album. Justin Beiber is better. This guy is the worst and stitches is the worst song I've ever heard
  41. ee_chaux
    Dec 17, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Arte arte arte arte arte arte arte amamos a un rey, sencillamente hermoso de inicio a fin… Expand
  42. Criticmusic1
    Dec 3, 2020
    0
    -00000000000000000000000000000000000000000ⁿ0000000ⁿ00000000000000000000000000
  43. Ksluba
    Dec 5, 2020
    10
    Eu amo esse álbum, tem uma sonoridade única que me cativa enquanto ouço.
  44. shay1018
    May 25, 2021
    0
    i didn’t know an album could be so repetitive and boring until i heard this one. don’t tell me it’s because he was only 15. there are 12 year olds that could write better than this
  45. Arayza
    Dec 10, 2020
    10
    Es un gran álbum, llevando consigo canciones con un buen contenido lírico
  46. GuilhermeMeirel
    Oct 20, 2015
    10
    amoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
  47. Maribon96
    Oct 2, 2017
    8
    è solo io suo primo album ma ammetto che ha un enorme talento, oramai lo seguo dal 2014 e credo possa fare molto di più per me. Ha del talento che deve essere apprezzato e non andrebbe comparato ad Ed Sheeran. Aspetterò che cresca un po' di più musicalmente.
  48. hallodoei
    Aug 23, 2016
    9
    Why does this have so many bad reviews? I really liked the album. It's his first album so of course it isn't perfect. But it's really good for a first album and was only 16 when he made it.
  49. bandtrash
    Feb 16, 2017
    5
    This is a normal, average album by a young pop singer. Mendes has got a real potential but this is not "it" yet. I think he'll get so much better and he'll actually surprise me but now I am really skeptic. This album was really slow and that is not so much enjoyable. Plus I think Mendes really needs to work on his voice.
  50. manu_carnevale
    Apr 22, 2018
    7
    After his new albums, It's pretty easy to notice the growth and the improvements of this guy. This still remains a nice project to start with.
  51. YunuenMendes
    Aug 15, 2017
    10
    Tal vez a algunos no les gusta porque es aburrido dicen, pero cuando empiesas a escucharlo con mas calma y sin tanta critica de que tiene que ser una canción con ritmo para que todo el mundo se la aprenda
    Me encanta el album y las letras de las canciones son hermosas
  52. lucasmelonds
    Jan 13, 2018
    10
    This album is so underrated! He deserved more, great vocals, beautiful lyrics, custom instruments, he wrote most of the songs on the album at the age of 15 and had a great result for a debut album.
  53. NolanLundgaard
    Apr 11, 2020
    8
    Handwritten by Shawn Mendes: 7.66

    Life Of The Party: 1 Stitches: 1 :) Never Be Alone: 1! Kid In Love: 0.75 I Don’t Even Know Your Name: 1 :) Something Big: 1 :) Strings: 0.5 Aftertaste: 0.75 Air: 0.75 Crazy: 0.5 A Little Too Much: 0.75 This Is What It Takes: 1 Bring It Back: 1 Imagination: 1 The Weight: 1 I Know What You Did Last Summer: 1 :) 14/16 = .875 -> 7.66    Handwritten by Shawn Mendes: 7.66

    Life Of The Party: 1
    Stitches: 1 :)
    Never Be Alone: 1!
    Kid In Love: 0.75
    I Don’t Even Know Your Name: 1 :)
    Something Big: 1 :)
    Strings: 0.5
    Aftertaste: 0.75
    Air: 0.75
    Crazy: 0.5
    A Little Too Much: 0.75
    This Is What It Takes: 1
    Bring It Back: 1
    Imagination: 1
    The Weight: 1
    I Know What You Did Last Summer: 1 :)

    14/16 = .875 -> 7.66

    As you all know, I really enjoyed listening to Ed Sheeran, and I wanted to listen to more stuff like his. I looked him up and Taylor Swift came up, who I also really loved, and Shawn Mendes, who I had not reviewed yet. I then decided to listen to Handwritten, Mendes’ debut album, and I’m so glad I did. I had heard Stitches before, and loved it, and was therefore excited to try it. None of the other songs (except I Know What You Did Last Summer) were as upbeat as Stitches, but they were still very catchy nonetheless and were married to amazing lyrics. This is something I had missed since finishing Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran’s most recent albums. The second half of Handwritten was especially good. The only unimportant critique I have is some of the songs sounded a bit similar, as most here are acoustic tracks. Besides that, I was very happy with what I heard, and I would recommend Shawn Mendes to all lovers of pop and acoustic music. I look forward to listening to Illuminate. Highlights: Life Of The Party, Stitches, Never Be Alone, I Don’t Even Know Your Name, Something Big, This Is What It Takes, Bring It Back, Imagination, The Weight, and I Know What You Did Last Summer.    … Expand
  54. alexc4761
    Jul 6, 2018
    8
    Handwritten shows Shawn Mendes's youth in a variety of ways. Although immature at times, Shawn Mendes hits his target audience of teenagers with some upbeat songs and some fine lyricism. It may be perceived as bland at some time and some song sound alike, but it is a rather fun album. it is a great start for Mendes and shows his potential.
  55. Tayloroutsold
    Sep 3, 2019
    10
    AMAZING ALBUM OMG I LOVE IT SO MUCH. REMINDS ME OF TAYLOR SWIFT'S DEBUT ALBUM, but with better sound
  56. cipriano
    Feb 7, 2020
    7
    Shawn Mendes did a good job on his first album, has a beautiful vocal peformance in it. And his compositions and sound are pleasant, on the other hand, has tracks that leaves his basic sound and unbalances the acoustic concept of his album. There's an evolution ahead of you.
  57. Fernandas
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Even when it's his first album, there's no bad songs and that it's so incredible. Every person has to give to this album an opportunity
  58. Loganwellness
    Jul 19, 2021
    0
    This album sucks. Shawn Mendes is one of the worst singers of all time alongside Justin Bieber. All the tracks were terrible. The lyrics didn't do anything. Shawn's vocals was horrendous.
  59. ItsIsaiahz
    Sep 18, 2022
    6
    Ok so going into this album i kind of had an idea of what to expect. I knew of Shawn Mendes’ hits so my expectations were set on a pop album with a lot of acoustics, some synths, maybe a piano ballad or two? If it was anything different from what I mentioned I would be shockingly surprised.

    The album opener, “Life Of The Party”, was really a strong anthem and an exceptional opener for the    Ok so going into this album i kind of had an idea of what to expect. I knew of Shawn Mendes’ hits so my expectations were set on a pop album with a lot of acoustics, some synths, maybe a piano ballad or two? If it was anything different from what I mentioned I would be shockingly surprised.

    The album opener, “Life Of The Party”, was really a strong anthem and an exceptional opener for the record. I’m used to openers being soft balladry, but this definitely still hit the mark for me as it immediately grabbed my attention. It then flowed into his hit song “Stitches” which was a hit song for a reason. the drum kicks, the synths, the ear worm chorus? it’s no wonder he blew up with this single

    Now the next few tracks after were basically cohesively the same, which isn’t a bad thing. It just became way too predictable of where he would take the song. They all were lead with guitar chords with a slow place then (some of them) would open up into this grand choirs type vibe.

    “Something Big” was the track that pulled me back into the record again. The production was hella strong on that one. And the bridge???? 100000/10! The next couple of tracks didn’t quite stand out on its own although they weren’t awful by any means. “This Is What It Takes” and the closing anthem/hit “I Know What You Did Last Summer” were another set of incredible songs that really shined bright on the record.

    Overall this album lived up quite nicely to my expectations of what I expected from Shawn Mendez. He definitely played it safe in the pop world with this debut which means there’s always room for improvement. This makes me really curious and excited to see what his sophomore album will sound like when i listen to it. Will he continue with this kind of generic acoustic sound? Or will he expand his horizons? With that in mind I give “Handwritten (Deluxe)” by Shawn Mendes a 65 score out of 100.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. AllMusic
    Apr 20, 2015
    50
    Cute he may be, but he has charisma that lasts no longer than a GIF, as Handwritten makes painfully clear.
    Read full review
  2. The Guardian
    Apr 14, 2015
    60
    At 16, Mendes isn’t the artist he’ll be at 25, but he’s made a persuasive start--the adult-pop big league could yet be his.
    Read full review
  3. New York Daily News (Jim Faber)
    Apr 14, 2015
    60
    The studio sound erased many of those aural pimples, acting like dermabrasion for the ears. The appeal of the songs also helps smooth things over. Adults may notice that this “singer-songwriter” rarely writes without armies of collaborators. But the material he’s been handed has hooks.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »