Shawn Mendes, “Shawn.” Shawn Mendes opts for a moodier, more organic and acoustic sound on his fifth album, Shawn. It’s a quiet giant, entering with a soft-spoken murmur, but delivers a quiet confidence. These dozen tracks avoid expansive production and sleek pop arrangements and instead are often nothing more…

Clockwise from top right: Olivia Rodrigo, Shawn Mendes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chris Stapleton, The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, HAIM, Roger Waters, Tyler, The Creator, Billie Eilish, Lorde and John Mayer. After the pandemic canceled concerts in 2020, we crossed out fingers that our favorites would be rescheduled. Slowly, they’re…

Shawn Mendes got his start by playing his acoustic guitar on social media apps, which has made his transformation into a bonafide glossy pop star all the more stark. He’s accomplished this through well-placed features on other artists’ songs (including his flame Camila Cabello and Taylor Swift) as well…

Like all art, music leaves a cultural imprint representing the events, feelings, successes and failures of the time that birthed it. While various styles of music capture the experience of the groups that listen to it, Top 40 pop speaks for the masses. With 2020 around the corner, let’s…

Camila Cabello is no stranger to romance. The Cuban-born pop songstress found herself in one of the most public and high-profile pop culture romances of 2019 with fellow pop phenom Shawn Mendes. Whether they are performing on stage together at awards shows or showing affection court-side at a Lakers…

Beyond winning Chance the Rapper the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, Coloring Book also distinguished him as a unique force in Chicago hip-hop. The career-defining release’s gospel overtones, pop hooks and diverse flow saw Chancelor Jonathan Bennett come into his own as a suave, God-fearing punchline purveyor. He…

Camila Cabello performs at Poptopia at SAP Center in San Jose on Dec. 1, 2018. Photos: Alessio Neri. SAN JOSE — The stars came out to shine Saturday night at SAP Center for the annual spectacle that is Poptopia. The concert, organized by 99.7 NOW, has quickly become one…