“People Watching” is the third studio album from Northern English musician Sam Fender and perhaps his most honest yet. It is rife with details of experiences that have impacted his life, as well as the experiences faced by his loved ones. His songwriting is deep and reflective, never shying away from any ugly truths.
He is capable of finding beauty in the mundane and has an aptitude for writing about the struggles of the UK’s working class with care. This album is a shrine to where he comes from and honors those he grew up with. However, it is relatable enough for those from outside of Northern England to project their own experiences on.
TRACKLIST
People Watching
Nostalgia’s Lie
Chin Up
Wild Long Lie
Arm’s Length
Crumbling Empire
Little Bit Closer
Rein Me In
TV Dinner
Something Heavy
Remember My Name
People Watching
“People Watching” is the lead single and title track of the album. It also marks Fender’s return to music since his last album “Seventeen Going Under” was released in 2021.
This song was written in honor of one of Fender’s late loved ones who he describes as a “surrogate mother.” When asked about her connection to his song, Fender said, “It’s kind of ironic because she was the one that gave me the confidence to go on stage, and always used to be like ‘why haven’t you mentioned my name in your acceptance speech’. But now an entire song (and album) connects to her. I hope that wherever she is now she’s looking down saying ‘about time kid’.”
The song is upbeat and catchy in a way that feels like you’re running; whether towards something or away is up to interpretation. Its melody subverts its heart-wrenching lyrics as Fender describes the feeling of responsibility he had to make sure the end of this person’s life was dignified. Despite how hard it can be to shoulder something like that, he does not see it as a burden because, as he says, “that’s just love.”
He goes on to describe the empty feeling of seeing other people go about their lives as he feels so much loss on his own following the death of his loved one. He speaks of feeling envious of those who have no idea what he’s going through, and how his envy is a brief respite from his loneliness.
It is the perfect song for anyone who has had to care for someone they love and learn to live with the following loss. It is a balm for healing hearts and reminds us to never take a second with anyone for granted.
Nostalgia’s Lie
“Nostalgia’s Lie” is dedicated to those of us who romanticize even the worst times of our lives. While we long to return to certain places, people or memories, we may forget that they weren’t the best for us.
As Fender realizes this, he decides to move forward and embrace all the complex emotions that come with them. He decides to let his defenses down and move through the world with an open heart despite the heartbreak that may come.
Chin Up
“Chin Up” is the song for anyone simply going through it. Whether that be due to the end of a relationship, the loss of a job or any other kind of life-interrupting event, Fender knows where you’re coming from.
While we may want or even need to wallow in self-pity, sometimes there just isn’t enough time when you’re focusing on survival. There is always something else that demands attention; a job to get to, another turbulent political story or friends inviting you on another numbing night out. There is also always the feeling that what you’re going through isn’t bad enough to feel sorry for yourself; when other people have it worse, who are you to complain?
This is perhaps the most relatable song on the album, especially for those of us navigating our twenties while preoccupied with the current political and social landscape. Things can feel hopeless and overwhelming, and instead of ignoring it, this song reminds us that sometimes it’s okay to lean in.
Wild Long Lie
“Wild Long Lie” explores the feelings of denial and escapism when embarking on a night out. Similarly to “Chin Up,” Fender spends most of this song running from his issues rather than handling them head-on.
He describes a night out we have all experienced at some point, where everyone has too much to drink and speaks too loudly, trying to get a word in edgewise. These nights are usually much-needed times to forget about the world’s problems with your best friends, only to result in a terrible hangover the next morning.
However, he also writes about the sobering realization that he does, in fact, still have to live with the feelings he is trying to numb. In a moment of clarity, he thinks about the changes he needs to make and worries about what is to come. This song puts its listeners in that crushing moment when you are in a bar bathroom, staring back at your reflection in the mirror. Your friends are in the next room, perhaps watering down similar feelings, but you are being forced to look at yourself.
This is another song written for the twenty-somethings who are trying (and perhaps feeling like they’re failing) to grapple with the world.
Arm’s Length
“Arms Length” is a song written for those with an avoidant attachment style, or perhaps those just looking for a hookup without any strings attached. With its melodic guitars and catchy rhythm, Fender repeatedly asks a potential lover, “Do you have to know me inside out to have a good time?”
The lyrics are reminiscent of his 2019 single, “Will We Talk?” which narrates the moments leading up to a one-night stand and the emotional ambiguity resulting from the encounter. Fender knows it is selfish of him to ask for the company of someone he will never be emotionally intimate with, but he asks anyway.
The instrumentals of this track are complex and effective. The guitar riff is particularly impressive with its intricate melody, creating an earworm of a song that is easy to put on repeat.
Crumbling Empire
Never one to shy away from speaking on political matters, Fender uses “Crumbling Empire” to elaborate on how the events of the broader world directly affect those he knows at home. His writing is strongest when analyzing the areas where the personal and political collide, and this track is no different. In a song that could come across as gimmicky or “preachy,” Fender holds his own and proves he truly cares about the issues he is speaking about.
He uses this song to highlight the real struggles his family and friends have faced in the “crumbling empires” of both Britain and America as the class divide continues to grow. Where both countries once seemingly ruled the world, their flaws are more prominent than ever as they fail to care for their own citizens.
This song is less overtly angry than his other political tunes like “Aye” or “Hypersonic Missiles”, but is perhaps more palatable for those who need to be eased into political music. While his passion is still there, this song feels more conversational.
Little Bit Closer
Fender uses “Little Bit Closer” as an outlet to grapple with his feelings toward religion and his relationship with God. After growing up religious and having religious family members, Fender no longer believes in God and is not sure if he ever truly did.
He describes the pain that the Christian church has caused the people he loves and how he is not willing to accept a God who does not love all His people. Fender vows to stand with those who have been abandoned by God, even if it means going to Hell.
He realizes that the closest he will ever get to God is when he is experiencing love for others, and with each loving interaction, he gets, “a little bit closer.”
Rein Me In
Similarly to “Arms Length,” “Rein Me In” was written for those who have a tendency to self-sabotage. Reflecting on the downfall of a previous relationship, Fender must take responsibility for how he ruined a good thing.
He is haunted as memories of his lover “ring like tinnitus,” in the places they used to enjoy together. Though he longs to be emotionally intimate and give his partner the love they deserve, he is too afraid to be “reined in” by love and instead rejects anyone who gets too close.
Though the lyrics are crushing, they are livened up by jazzy instrumentals. Featuring an upbeat piano and backing saxophone this is one of the more sonically unique songs on the album.
TV Dinner
“TV Dinner” speaks to celebrity culture and the public’s desire to build someone up just to watch them fall. While celebrities are far from perfect and may deserve to be criticized at times, we also have to remember that they are human and deserve some level of grace.
Fender speaks to the public’s infatuation with the “next best thing” and how easy it is to demonize someone who does not live up to impossible standards of perfection. As an example, Fender mentions the hostile attitudes of the media and public towards the late Amy Winehouse, writing, “Like Winehouse, she was just a bairn / They love her now but bled her then.”
When asked about this line, Fender also reflected upon the recent loss of singer Liam Payne, saying, “It’s the British culture of building them up to knock ’em down… I wrote that, then Liam Payne died. You think of the amount of times he was getting dragged through the press and he didn’t help himself, did he? …But the reality was that he was just a young lad, famous far too young, who had addiction trouble — and everyone hit him with the pitchforks.”
Fender also asks himself if he is ready to face the inevitable fall from grace that the public is waiting for. A deeply private person, he worries that his secrets will also be revealed and jeered at.
Something Heavy
“Something Heavy” delves deeper into the escapism introduced in “Wild Long Lie” and “Arms Length.” Chronicling another night out and another one-night stand, Fender bears witness to the burdens shouldered by the other bar patrons. As the once-high morale of his town dwindles, Fender refers to the effects the “dog” has on him and those around him. A metaphor for depression, the dog is something that he is unfortunately very familiar with.
Furthermore, Fender recognizes that many businesses continue to struggle following the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of inflation. As the customers become shells of themselves, so do the bars. Instead of becoming places of joy and refuge, they reflect the hollowness their customers wish to escape.
Remember My Name
“Remember My Name” is the final single released before the album officially debuted. Written in honor of Fender’s late grandparents, this song speaks from the perspective of his grandfather who was caring for his grandmother during her battle with dementia.
Fender’s vocals on this track are the clearest they have been in the entire project as he takes care to tell the story of their love. He reflects upon the life they created together, a home they have built upon mutual respect and admiration.
Similarly to the sentiment in the opening track, Fender describes how his grandfather showed up for his grandmother in simple ways, even when it broke his heart. Because of his love for her, he expected nothing in return but only prayed that she would remember his name in the midst of her illness. This true embodiment of love ties the entire project together and is a satisfying end to such a stunning album.
Overall, this is some of Fender’s strongest work. It is filled with an elevated version of his classic sound and his most personal songwriting yet. This album took a few listens for me to digest properly, and I find myself discovering new things each time I put it on. Whether you are struggling with your mental health, fearing the loss of a loved one or trying to grapple with the chaotic state of the world, you are bound to find something on this project that you connect with. Hopefully, you can be comforted by it as well.
Written By Tessa Brainard
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