WONGIE POP SONG(s) OF THE WEEK: shawn mendes - in my blood / lost in japan / youth (feat khalid)

shawn mendes - in my blood
[UPDATE 4/24: here is the video premiere of shawn mendes single (finally!)]
welcome to the power ballad section of the shawn mendes discography! at it's midnight release fans were given a nice surprise new single that starts off like an acoustic ballad but kicks into full on rock pop territory that showcases a possible more adventurous direction with his upcoming album. we shall see, until then, play. swoon. repeat.

shawn mendes - lost in japan
a week later, shawn gave his best soulful pop presentation in the form of 'lost in japan', offering a breezy jam that is more than what basic folks are calling a JT knockoff. this song is just a solid number that easily will play through the rest of the summer. love this!!

shawn mendes feat khalid - youth
[UPDATE 5/3: check out the lyric video of the new track which also features khalid]

VIDEO PREMIERE: nate ruess - nothing without love

nate ruess - nothing without love
i've always loved the fact that nate ruess writes songs with every hook in the book and then filters it through an epic majestic pop production. with his first venture as a solo artist, the ex-fun. frontman is leaving nothing to chance and offers up this instant singalong anthem that you'll be sick of by the 10th listen but will singing along to it nevertheless. you have been warned!

NEW PARAMORE!: paramore - still into you

paramore - still into you
definitely more commercial than their previous single 'now', but the little nuanced instrumentation throughout the song definitely makes this a step above the usual rock pop fare. i dig!