SAM FENDER - PEOPLE WATCHING

9/10

A MOVIE-LIKE SOUNDTRACK TO THE BLEAK REALITIES OF TODAY, A TALE OF GRIEF, FAMILY, POVERTY, AND A NOD TO THE MOST OF US.

After his debut album, ‘Hypersonic Missiles’, in 2019, Sam Fender quickly rose to fame. In 2021, he followed up with ‘Seventeen Going Under’, further solidifying his status as a songwriter of our generation. Now, four years later, he returns with his most mature album yet.

Fender’s songwriting is unapologetically personal and political. ‘Chin Up’ is a powerful display of these themes, emotionally piercing into the harsh realities of the UK’s cost-of-living crisis. Lines like “People turfed right out of their homes / Our Jackie navigates through the penury / He lost his job again in January” starkly remind us of the challenges we face today, and they offer a deeply personal reflection on life back home. Many of us can relate to these experiences, whether it’s at home, with friends, or in our communities.

Throughout the album, Fender showcases his intricate selection of beautifully crafted tracks. ‘Crumbling Empire’ evokes a nostalgic feel reminiscent of 80s pop music. More than that, it’s an emotional tug at the heartstrings as he contemplates the possibilities of life’s future path if he weren’t the renowned artist he is today. He sings, “I’m not preaching, I’m just talking / I don’t wear the shoes I used to walk in / But I can’t help thinking where they’d take me / In this crumbling empire.” The song is accompanied by grand piano chords and jangly guitar, leaving a profound impact on the listener.

‘People Watching’ presents a bleak yet refined perspective on our current times, drawing from Fender’s life experiences since achieving success and returning to his hometown. This album undoubtedly cements his place as one of the great songwriters of our generation.