With his third studio album, 'People Watching', released on February 21st, he proves why he’s one of the most electrifying voices in modern rock. Known for his gritty storytelling, anthemic choruses, and no-holds-barred social commentary, Fender takes everything up a notch on this record. If you thought 'Seventeen Going Under' was powerful, buckle up. This is bigger, bolder, and packed with raw emotion.
The album kicks off with 'People Watching', a poignant yet soaring opener dedicated to Fender’s late friend and mentor, Annie Orwin. Co-produced with Adam Granduciel from The War On Drugs, the song is an emotional gut-punch, with layered instrumentation and one hell of a saxophone solo. The lyrics pull no punches with pertinent lines such as "Understaffed and overruled by callous hands". It’s an unfiltered reflection on loss, nostalgia, and the flaws in the care system, a theme that echoes throughout the album.
'Arm’s Length' turns the struggle for personal space into a full-blown anthem. With its pulsating rhythm and the unshakable "Do you have to know me / Know me, inside out" refrain, it might just be the catchiest track on the record. A high-energy indie-pop banger!
As catchy as it is, this track almost didn’t make the album, Fender explains in a recent Instagram post; “For a while, it wasn’t even going to be on the album... but thankfully Brooke Bentham joined and was like, are you mad?? It originally came from one of those magic moments where you’re just messing around, and a song literally falls out the sky. It’s about being avoidant and flighty. But also just a simple pop song, which I love.”
“I’m not preaching, I’m just talking / I don’t wear the shoes I used to walk in,” Fender sings in 'Crumbling Empire', one of the most scintillating tracks on the album. It’s a furious, full-throttle anthem about the decline of working-class towns, drawing stark parallels between Fender’s hometown of North Shields and rust-belt America. Expect a stadium-sized chorus, roaring guitars, and a fist-pumping outro that’s sure to be a setlist staple on his upcoming tour.
Fender then leans into his folk influences on 'A Little Bit Closer', crafting an upbeat yet deeply introspective anthem about the harrowing experience of panic attacks: “I was a child in the peak of a panic attack / The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back”.
'Rein Me In' brings another acoustic moment, reflecting on love and relationships. The track’s rhythmic guitar work and signature sax outro inject a sense of warmth, contrasting lyrics like "All my memories of you ring like tinnitus / If I stop it’s just pain".
Just when you think you’ve got 'People Watching' figured out, Fender throws a curveball. 'TV Dinner' ditches the guitars for a brooding, synth-heavy arrangement that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Depeche Mode record. The song takes a cynical swipe at celebrity culture, questioning the way personal trauma is commodified for entertainment. It’s a bold departure from his usual sound but proves his range as an artist.
The album closes with 'Remember My Name', a stirring tribute to Fender’s late grandparents. Featuring the Easington Colliery Brass Band, it’s a goosebump-inducing finale that blends brass and rock in a way that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking. If there’s one track that perfectly encapsulates Fender’s ability to turn personal pain into universal anthems, it’s this one.
'People Watching' isn’t just an album, it’s a statement. Sam Fender delivers an emotionally charged, sonically expansive record that proves rock and roll is still alive and kicking. Whether he’s channelling personal grief, social commentary, or straight-up rock swagger, Fender continues to be one of the most vital voices of his generation.
If you’re looking for an album that makes you think, feel, and want to scream your heart out in a packed stadium, this is it.
With an album this massive, it’s only fitting that Fender is taking it on the road. The sold-out European tour begins in Paris, before flying to the States for the Coachella Festival in April. He’ll then head to the UK for what are set to be career-defining stadium shows. The biggest of them all? London Stadium on June 6th and two huge hometown gigs at St. James' Park, Newcastle, on June 12th and 14th. If his 2023 shows at St. James' Park were anything to go by, these dates will be nothing short of historic.
Special guests include The War On Drugs and CMAT, making this one of 2025’s hottest tickets. If you haven’t grabbed your tickets yet, act fast. This tour is selling out at lightning speed. Get your tickets here.
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