Soundz Rating: 9/10
There are few artists today who can blend Springsteen-esque storytelling with the raw grit of Northern England quite like Sam Fender. People Watching, his third studio album, is both an evolution and a reaffirmation of everything that has made him a standout voice in modern rock. With anthemic choruses, deeply personal yet universally relatable lyrics, and a sound that straddles indie rock and stadium-sized ambition, Fender delivers what might just be his best work yet.
A Soundtrack for the observers
The album kicks off with the title track, “People Watching,” an instant classic that captures the magic of Fender’s ability to tell stories through observation. The song swells with jangly guitars, driving percussion, and a saxophone solo that feels like a nod to his love for classic rock arrangements. It’s nostalgic, yet fresh, an opening statement that says he’s not here to simply repeat past successes.
From there, we move into “Crumbling Empire,” a track that doesn’t shy away from Fender’s social consciousness. With an urgent rhythm section and lyrics that take a hard look at economic decline and class struggle, this one feels like the spiritual successor to Hypersonic Missiles. The frustration is palpable, but so is the sense of defiance.
Balancing the heavy with the light
Fender has always been a master at balancing weighty themes with songs that feel uplifting, and People Watching continues that trend. “Something Heavy” is a standout in this regard, an empathetic anthem that recognizes the struggles people carry every day. “Everybody here’s got something heavy / I’ll shoulder it a while if you just want a night off”, a simple, yet powerful sentiment wrapped in one of the album’s most soaring melodies.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Tracks like “The Last Good Summer” bring a sense of nostalgia for lost youth, carried by shimmering guitar tones and Fender’s signature Geordie drawl. You can almost smell the cigarette smoke and hear the clinking of pint glasses as the song transports you to nights that feel infinite but are gone too soon.
A personal and poignant finale from Sam Fender
The album closes on an intensely personal note with “Remember My Name,” a tribute to Fender’s late grandparents. Stripped-down instrumentation allows his voice to take center stage, with hauntingly beautiful brass arrangements courtesy of the Easington Colliery Band adding a layer of poignancy. It’s an emotional gut-punch of a closer, proof that Fender’s songwriting is only getting sharper with time.
Final verdict
With People Watching, Sam Fender doesn’t just cement his place in modern rock, he expands it. He continues to write about working-class life with a clarity and authenticity that few can match, all while pushing the sonic boundaries of what British indie rock can be. The production is bolder, the stories feel even more lived-in, and the emotional depth hits harder than ever. This is an album for dreamers, for strugglers, for those who feel like life is slipping through their fingers but refuse to let go without a fight.
