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Handwritten
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Handwritten Image
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 246 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length debut for the Canadian pop singer-songwriter features contributions from Scott Harris, Astrid Smeplass, Martin Terefe, and Ido Zmishlany.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Billboard.com
    Apr 14, 2015
    60
    It's a promising teen's first album, and it will satisfy the ­longings of the keepers of fan Tumblrs. So far, though, Mendes' music is not nearly as inventive as his strategies to publicize it.
  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.
  3. Rolling Stone
    Apr 14, 2015
    60
    Mendes has more rhythm than you'd expect.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 59
  3. Negative: 21 out of 59
  1. 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
  2. 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 éo 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.… Expand
  4. 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 guyBest 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… Expand
  5. 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    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
  6. 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 muchThis 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.… Expand
  7. 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
  8. 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 dpscomo 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… Expand

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