In an act of public service, 26-year-old Shawn Mendes decided to bless humanity with a visual masterpiece for his latest single “Nobody Knows,” in which he flexes not only his vocal cords but also his now-famous six-pack, which at this point should probably have its own Instagram account.
After dazzling audiences with the song’s debut during the 2024 MTV VMAs, Shawn dropped the video on Friday (September 13), sending fans into a collective meltdown. Directed by Connor Brashier, the video is basically an emotional support group for guys who are sad, shirtless, and clearly don’t believe in the concept of “putting on a shirt when you’re sad.”
The video is a hazy, dreamlike experience where Shawn and his equally heartbroken friends deal with love’s greatest tragedy in the most logical way possible: by removing all items of clothing, drowning their sorrows in…drinks (we’re assuming it’s herbal tea), and dancing like they’ve just discovered TikTok. They’re sweaty, they’re emotional, and they’re definitely doing something about climate change—because who needs shirts when the planet’s heating up?
Shawn serenades us in the chorus with some deep, existential musings: “When you’re so in love / And your souls touch / But it’s still not enough / Where does it go?” We don’t know, Shawn. Perhaps it ends up in the same place as all the mismatched socks in the laundry. In a moment of clarity that could rival the teachings of a wise monk, he concludes: “Nobody knows / Where the love goes.” If this doesn’t make you ponder the mysteries of life while also googling how to get abs like his, we’re not sure what will.
Taking to Instagram, Shawn described the video as “Just 3 sweaty boys crying about love.” Which, honestly, could also be the tagline for a new reality show, “The Bachelor: Cry Harder Edition.”
And if that’s not enough to make you cry into your own protein shake, this heart-throb’s latest single will feature on his self-titled album, set to drop on October 18. “Nobody Knows” follows in the emotional footsteps of previous singles like “Why Why Why,” where Shawn nearly sang himself into fatherhood. Because nothing says romance like wondering, “Why did I almost become a dad?”
Expect more tears, more abs, and possibly the soundtrack to your next emotional workout session.
