“People Watching” is the third studio album from Newcastle’s own Sam Fender – and from the reaction on social media over the last couple of months, it has been highly anticipated – from Sam teasing little nuggets from the album since Autumn last year.
The first track, the title-track “People Watching” offers an indie-anthemic feel with a big backing track that gives you a big push, speaking on the single on Instagram, Sam candidly said on Instagram that the track was about somebody who was like a surrogate mother to him and it was about what was going through his head, to and from that place and home.
The song reflects this with the vulnerability to the lyrics, which in the beginning of the song are quite sad when you listen closer, before going into that big chorus, where you can hear him talking about his way home and his mind going through that, weaving different elements of his feelings in and out of it throughout the song.
This was, in my opinion, the best choice for the title of the album, it’s thought-provoking, easy to listen to and will send waves through a crowd live.
Up next was a new one to many, “Nostalgia’s Lie” – and my god, what an absolutely stunning track.
The gentle guitar is a soothing start and whilst there’s a bit of pulse further injected as it builds, it’s a beautiful backing track and it compliments Sam’s voice well.
The song provides a relatable set of lyrics, talking about vulnerability, sense of belonging and being wanted, particularly the lyrics “All my defences down, What is this place? Can you take me back to somewhere, darling? Where I feel safe.”
It’s a sad song that may prompt a lot of emotions (and tears!) but it’s been put together beautifully and speaks to the listener on a deep level, providing almost an understanding – which, is a personal thing for the listener, but I feel like this song could resonate with a lot of people, it’s beautiful and one of my favourites off the album for sure.
The next track is ironically titled “Chin Up”, which is straight in with Sam’s vocals and doesn’t mess about.
Despite the last track, this time the lyrics talk about acknowledgement of how he’s feeling, reminiscing on it almost and accepting it as Sam lays alot bare with this track, but it ultimately gives the message that he’s trying to keep his chin up.
A message in itself that is important, and in my opinion, very well placed in the album track list – the song gets more powerful as it goes on, using Sam’s powerful range to blend in beautifully with a big ending, and yet another song that could trigger a lot of emotions in many.
“Wild Long Lie” follows and this is one of the tracks released ahead of the album back in December 2024, it was well received by fans, and it gives almost more of an acoustic feel to this track, it’s still following on with that emotional-sad-indie like style, but this works really well for Sam and he does it brilliantly.
The lyrics have a nod to drug use, partying and ultimately, loneliness, the range of emotions you may feel during the process, letting it all out and what I feel like is finding an escape from everyday life.
This song is a little more harrowing, but sheds an honest light on an important subject for many – brilliantly put together with some stunning guitar riffs and consistent beat that pulls it all together.
“Arms Length” is next, and what I love about this, is that you can hear Sam and his pals brief chatter at the beginning, brings a real human element to it.
This has stripped away the more anthem-like sounds you maybe used to with Sam, but it’s done incredibly well and is a nice change from the usual.
This song resonated the most off the entire album for me, my interpretation of the lyrics was talking about potential relationships and how you could be seen whilst dating or at the least, trying to.
“I’m selfish, and I’m lonely, Arm’s length, small talk, and then some company.” – to me talks about that cycle that many of us have probably gone through at one point in our lives (myself for sure… ahem.) but that’s why it resonated – it spoke about the feeling of unwanted, the what can be the never-ending cycle for some, and the ability to open up and accept another.
A powerful track and also one of my favourites for sure.
“Crumbling Empire” followed – a lengthier track where the intro reminded me a bit of his previous hit “Spit of You” in a way, but more sombre.
This song feels more personal or at least what they’ve witnessed around them growing up and has little nods to the North-East, which I would always expect from Sam, he’s passionate about where he comes from but isn’t afraid to call it out in his music, which is ultimately what this track is about.
Listening, it gave me the feel of growth and acknowledgement, seeing what could be and has been, and adding those elements of childhood life within the lyrics make this powerful.
The track itself is more sombre again – following a bit of a pattern, but in my opinion, this is a style that Sam has grown into and made his own – it’s very well-suited.
“Little Bit Closer” came afterwards, and we’re steadily getting towards the end of the album, this offered a slightly more upbeat backing track following “Crumbling Empire” but it still offered that raw acknowledgement of growing up and facing the facts of reality, questioning religion, life and everything around him.
It’s another in-your-feels song with a stunning piano and almost soft classical feel with it, not too heavy, almost euphoric, it ties together well.
“Rein Me In” followed and this gentle track felt like little droplets of soft guitar building up and keeping me hooked, and another one that resonated with me again – for me it appeared to talk about a love lost, but not wanting to go back, to leave it in the past and not be tempted back in despite wanting it.
The little injections of guitar work brilliantly in this and it’s an incredibly easy listen, despite the lyrics talking about something sad and potentially heartbreaking, the backing track covers that up almost and offers a space to breathe and think about things – something in my opinion is difficult to achieve and even more so when done well.
Next is “TV Dinner” and straight away the piano kicks in and what I can say is an abundance of vocals from Sam, how is he doing this? they are fast-paced compared to the backing track, but stick out, likely done on purpose – it’s not a criticism, it works well but it was a surprise!
But upon listening again, I heard it more, almost like your mind is racing, questioning everything, challenging things that are difficult in life and have a lot of thoughts come out into one – when you think about it, it’s something many have done in the heat of the moment, in solitude or in company and it feels like a punch into reality.
The penultimate track “Something Heavy” and whilst the instrumental is anything but, the lyrics certainly are, Sam has very rightly highlighted alot of mental health issues in a candid way in his lyrics whilst still hitting the target directly, singing about people’s way of handling things, people missing signals and how things have changed over the last few years from COVID.
It’s heavy lyrically and hits the nail on the head in regards to the way many have felt and probably still do from the aftermath of COVID and the ongoing mental-health pandemic – an important track that deserves recognition and has a rightful place on the album – beautifully done.
And finally, “Remember My Name” – the final track and what a finale it is.
Warning, if you haven’t listened already, you may well need your tissues for this, I got incredibly emotional whilst listening.
Sam said on Instagram that the song “Is a love song dedicated to my late Grandparents – they were always so fiercely proud of our family so I wrote the song in honour of them.”
Sam also went onto say the track was from the point of view was from his Grandad, who was looking after his Grandma, who was suffering from dementia – that is already a pang in the feelings for someone who has lost three of my grandparents.
It once again has nods to the North East, which I picked up really easily, having lived in the North East for 13 years of my life when I was younger – this isn’t just places, but the Easington Colliery Band joining in, the lingo that is used and generally just the way it flows – it was really something that could move the toughest of us.
I would say it is the powerful track of the entire album, it’s emotional, it’s beautiful in what is sung and has the ability to see things from another point of view, remembering those we love, lost or both – something I know everyone can relate to in some form.
Overall, this is an absolutely fantastic album, and whilst I adore Sam’s previous work, this is his best yet, he’s settled into his style, whilst dipping his feet into other elements comfortably, offered some of the most relatable songs I’ve ever heard in my life and made it all incredibly easy to listen to.
Sam is playing a number of shows, including the iconic St.James Park in Newcastle – I personally cannot wait to hear the new tracks live there or anywhere else – it really will be something special.
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