Shawn Mendes’ ‘Why Why Why’ Voted This Week’s Favorite New Music

Shawn Mendes‘ “Why Why Why” has topped this week’s new music poll that features artists in various genres of music.

Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Aug. 9) on Billboard, choosing the 26-year-old pop star’s comeback single as their favorite new music release of the past week.

“Why Why Why” brought in 50% of the vote on the poll, securing a notable edge ahead of new releases from Katy Perry (“Lifetimes”), NIKI (Buzz), Beabadoobee (This is How Tomorrow Moves), Latto (Sugar Honey Iced Tea), J Balvin (Rayo), and others.

On Friday, Mendes made his comeback with “Why Why Why,” which leads his upcoming album, Shawn, which is scheduled for release on Oct. 18. The project is the star’s fifth studio album and follows 2020’s Wonder as well as his previous self-titled project, 2018’s Shawn Mendes.

“I stepped off the stage with nothing left/ All the lights were f—ing with my head,” the singer-songwriter admits on “Why Why Why,” a highly compelling piece of folk-pop that finds him vulnerable to the point of sounding haunted, two years removed from cancelling a tour due to mental health purposes.

Last month, Mendes shared a message for fans about the project, writing “Music really can be medicine. 2 years ago I felt like I had absolutely no idea who I was. A year ago I couldn’t step into a studio without falling into complete panic. So to be here right now with 12 beautiful finished songs feels like such a gift.”

Trailing behind Mendes on this week’s poll is Perry’s “Lifetimes,” with nearly 20% of the vote. The new single will appear on the pop star’s forthcoming album, 143.

See the final results of this week’s poll below. Check out Billboard‘s Friday Music Guide to catch up with more must-hear releases from this week.