Sam fender is back and bigger then ever with the launch of his third album “people watching and some huge outdoor shows later this year and one includes Manchester! 

Once again Sam shows us how it’s done when it comes to music as these songs have their own unique stories with some having signature music styles along with some songs branching out musically on something new with the softer synth pop style. 

It’s bold to assume that this will pave the way on how his future music will sound which isn’t a bad way as it’s been crafted with pure passion and you can tell he means every word. You can still tell of his inspirations from the likes of Bruce Springsteen and the killers but of course Sam has has his own style.

Opening up with “People Watching” Though this has upbeat instrumentals the lyrics are the kicker. What i’m guessing is it that it’s like how we all think when we were younger feeling like we’ll never grow up but as we sit back and people watch time does fly and life with it’s surroundings do change, some for the better but in reality returning to area’s you once knew has turned to decay and this I feel is the theme for this album. This does show how much Sam has grown up and matured but despite the huge shot to fame becoming a global super star. He’s still a real genuine down to earth chap which you can have a normal conversation with in the local pub.

With the next track ” nostalgia’s life” which again we go though some of Sam’s personal life and wanting to go back to the time before we grow up to realize how bad the world can be. Like us all we wish to go back to certain points in life where the biggest worries was getting injured while going out playing. This also might have a trace regarding his other song “dead boys” which came out on his “hypersonic missiles” era.

“Chin up” Is a move on from nostalgia’s life where trying to reminisce about the past as he’s living in the present and life isn’t all swell. Despite all the sadness the unluckiness and the potential of life getting absolute worse living in despair. All you have to sometimes is just to be optimistic , lift your chin up and make the most of it and try to think positive and just to think of the rythem.

“arms length” Is more of a simple track yet it’s so effective with the “do you have to know me” on repeat a lot. This might because he’s trying to just express a potential hook up with someone or  get to know someone a bit more personal to make things more intimate and more passionate or this could be just a friendship that he doesn’t know too well? This is where the chorus ” do you have to know me to have a good time” Sometimes you make the most wonderful memories with people you’ve just met. I could be wrong of course.

With “crumbling empire” The guitar intro reminds me of some 80’s ballad and that’s slowed to be more chilled. What’s not ace is the world around Sam is crumbling to ruin. This could be a huge dig at the government and how it’s failed to look after the working class as he mentions his family , his old man was working for a trade that got privatised and then made redundant, to his step dad who  was in the army and became homeless after service.  This of course Sam witnessed and had to deal with. A huge point in this is he mentions “I don’t wear these shoes that I used to walk in” This is a hard hitter because what if he never pursed his passion for music with his best mates? What if this failed and never got to where he is today. Sam is very fortunate for this to happen being a lucky one but would he join a similar fate in this “crumbling empire” Once again Sam uses his music to express how he feels and it’s art.

“Tv dinner” This feels like it’s an attack on the media. As we sit down ( or used to) eat tea in front of the Tv for the evening news even so this happens today with people get fame regardless of who they are or what they do. Once you are in the eyes of everyone from being good to a downward spiral of the most obscure things you’ll be either loved then you’ll be hated. From the media to the public fueling the fire and Sam talks about putting a wall up. This could be a link for him stepping out of the spotlight for a while until now. Is the people he love going to turn on him or will it be Sam’s own initiative to happen. After all if someone invades your personal space anything can happen.

“Something Heavy”  might be a link to “Tv dinner” In a different prospective of having out own baggage which everyone has. Sometimes the rocks are to heavy for you to carry on with life.The love we have to the ones we care about helps carry the burden and pursues the drive to live.

“Remember my name” A song that defiantly makes you shed a tear, I’ve not cried to a Sam fender song since “dead boys” came out and the swine’s done it again. This song is to honour Sams’ late grandparents when his granddad was looking after his grandma as she suffered with dementia. It makes you think how short and precious life really is. We have the honour to see and listen to part of Sam’s life and the lad is only 30 years old. The passion and the love he has for making music and you can tell these songs are made with the heart.

Thank you Sam.

4 out of 5 Stars

Check out the huge shows Sam has announced , get your tickets here!