Sometimes one of the easiest things to lose sight of is that our heroes are human too, equally capable of missteps, failings, and getting bogged down in the often complex and confusing journey of life—a journey which can be made all the more complicated by the double edged swords of fame and fortune.
Two young, Canadian superstars recently teamed up to serve us this reminder—in characteristic smooth and infectious fashion. After years of comparisons, trading jabs in the media, and potential overlap in romantic partners, Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber have, at last, teamed up to do what they do best—release a hit song.
Musically, their single “Monster” features each Ontario born pop wunderkind well within their wheelhouse—each showing off the silky voices that garnered them global acclaim. More interesting, however, is the tune’s subject matter. Over a somewhat minimalist, James Blake-esque track, the two artists display maturity and find common ground in grappling with their own celebrity.
As both Bieber and Mendes have plenty of experience living in the unforgiving and always watching public eye, it is refreshing to hear each artist own their humanity while also subtly turning it back on us—an audience that is often complicit in the intense, public scorn surrounding celebrity missteps.
“What if I, what if I trip?/ What if I, what if I fall?/ Then am I the monster?/ Just let me know/ What if I, what if I sin?/ What if I, what if I break?/ Then am I the monster?”
What is not surprising is that “Monster,” featuring two of the world’s most celebrated young, pop talents, is an enjoyable and catchy musical experience. What is a little surprising though—and equally impressive—is that these two young men manage to explore such a complex and substantial topic using a three minute pop song as the vehicle. All in all, “Monster” is proof that both Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber are growing as stars and as humans right before our eyes.
Enjoy the new video for “Monster” below!
