Sam Fender, a singer-songwriter from North Shields, England, released his third studio album, “People Watching” with 11 songs on Feb. 21. In a press release, Universal Music Group described the album as "colourful stories and observations of everyday characters living their everyday, but often extraordinary, lives." This fascinating and complex concept ultimately culminated in this triumphant album.
“People Watching” is led by a steady, quick drumbeat in its opening tracks. The single “People Watching” is a standout song. The story of this song surrounds Fender returning to his home after visiting his longtime mentor, Annie Orwin, who was in a care home. “Envious of the glimmer of hope / Gives me a break from feelin’ alone,” he belts. Fender’s ability to mix emotional vulnerability with raw honesty makes the album compelling. This lyric touches on a universal feeling many can relate to: the struggle to find light in dark times.
The album progresses with a melodic synth and rupturing guitar. “Arm’s Length” reflects Frender’s desire for small, calm intimacy. It’s quintessential Fender — both melancholic and uplifting, introspective yet anthemic. The song also includes a stunning Fleetwood Mac-esque riff, which brings a grand, cinematic vibe to the track.
“Crumbling Empire” is the star of the album’s deep cuts. The groovy drums and guitar picks clear the way for smooth, life-questioning lyrics. This five-minute, soul-stirring track touches on class privilege and wrestles with Fender’s role in helping those in need with the privilege his music career has given him. It’s an inherently political song, but Fender fights himself with his own words, singing, “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.” Fender’s vulnerability and honesty in confronting his own contradictions makes this song stand out, not just musically, but philosophically. In a way, “Crumbling Empire” forces listeners to reckon with their own complicity in larger societal issues, making it both a deeply personal and universally relevant piece of art.
“Little Bit Closer” opens with a bluesy harmonica, embracing a folk, Americana sound. The initial lines of the song illustrate Fender’s beliefs that organized religion forges the mind of desperate people: “They break you in like a wild foal / Target the dole queue broken souls.” Fender struggles to reconcile the positive societal role of religion with its tendency to attract those in vulnerable positions. In the end, he chants, “I get a little bit closer / I get a little bit closer.” The lyrics show internal conflict as Fender tries to make sense of faith and its impact on vulnerable people. “Little Bit Closer” becomes a song not just about religion, but about the difficult journey of seeking meaning, even if the answers remain unclear.
The album's final track, “Remember My Name,” is emotional and evocative. It serves as a heartfelt tribute to Fender’s late grandparents, told through the eyes of his grandfather, who lovingly cared for Fender’s grandmother as she battled dementia. In this track, Fender’s vocals are crystal clear, but it’s the soft, nostalgic sound of horns played by Northeast England’s Easington Colliery Band that stands out.
The chorus is both tight and powerful: “I’ll tell you stories, kiss your face / And I’ll pray you’ll remember my name,” Fender sings with his voice full of raw emotion. This song is closer to his roots than any other track on the album, and here, his deeply personal observations of life come full circle. He’s done “People Watching.” He ends his spectating with those he loves and those who inspire him. He ends the album by singing “And I'll pray you'll remember my name / And I'll pray you'll remember my name.”
Fender’s third album showcases his skill at blending personal stories with universal emotions. Songs like “People Watching,” “Crumbling Empire” and “Little Bit Closer” capture themes of vulnerability, self-reflection and societal issues, all while staying deeply personal. The album ends on a heartfelt note with “Remember My Name,” a tribute to his grandparents that ties everything together. Fender’s ability to mix raw emotion with powerful storytelling makes “People Watching” a memorable and meaningful piece of work. It highlights his growth as an artist and his unique voice in music today.
Martha Caroline (MC) Powell (she/her) (28C) is an Emory student aspiring to major in something important, but she hasn’t quite figured it out. She’s hoping it comes to her in a dream. Until then, she keeps herself busy with Ben Pius Mock Trial, SAPA, and The Emory Wheel. Any free time is spent reading, pining over Michelle Zauner, journaling and trying her best to be gluten free.
