Sam Fender: Seventeen Going Under

The second album by the Geordie songwriter is next up for review.
Side A opens with the title track. A tale of teenage insecurity and small town struggles. Lyrically this track is a standout, it really hits home about the problems faced in the U.K. still. “I see my mother / The DWP see a number” is one the tracks standout lyrics. It’s really poignant and the track requires your attention. ‘Getting Started’ follows on, and is a more jangly track. With a chorus that sounds a little bit like The Police. Lyrically the track is still brilliant and although the chorus is a catchy piece of indie pop. The verses tackle a much darker subject. Showing both sides of Sam. ‘Aye’ is the third track on Side A a much more politically charged affair, where Sam highlights his views on the world, and the divide between the left and right on the political spectrum. It’s a much heavier track and has almost a punk like delivery. ‘Get You Down’ is already a festival ready anthem which tackles Sam’s insecurity where ‘Aye’ looks outwards ‘Get You Down’ looks inward to Sam’s thoughts and feelings. It’s one of the best tracks on the record. Classic Sam Fender and I mean that in the best way. ‘Long Way Off’ is another politically charged song highlighting the attacks on the Capitol Building, and Sam’s dissolution with politics. Ending Side A is my favourite track on the record ‘Spit of You’ tackling Sam’s relationship with his dad. Recognising their flaws and trying to find a common ground to allow them to communicate. It’s a highly relatable song as many find it difficult to do this. Especially men. A brilliant song, with an important message.  

Side B begins with ‘Last to Make it Home’ a slow ballad where once again Sam looks inward, talking about how he sometimes struggles with his self esteem and how those struggles end up with him turning to other vices. Those vices then end up making him the ‘Last to Make it Home.’ ‘The Leveller’ is the next track on the record, another track about North Shields and the trials and tribulations people face, it’s a ferocious track where the drums carry us through. Lyrically once again it’s brilliant, with a pre and post chorus to build up tension. A classic track. ‘Mantra’ slows things down with an acoustic guitar and some harsh lyrics, about the nature of some people. People that we come across in life. A brilliant saxophone part ends the song, it’s very Springsteen. Something we’ve come to know Sam for. ‘Paradigms’ is the penultimate track with keyboards and drums being the centre piece of a track. Its different from Sam has ever done before and maybe a look to the future. I for one like the change in sound. His voice soars on this track too, hitting high notes and then taking us low in the voice. Before building to a final crescendo. Ending the album is ‘The Dying Light’ a track that starts off as a piano ballad, a dedication to his hometown and the people who make it special. ‘This town is a world of waifs and strays’
The track then builds and more elements are introduced, guitars, drums more vocals. Until it comes to life. With a dedication to the people he loves. ‘For Mam and Dad and all my palsFor all the ones who didn't make the night’Sam gives these people the credit because this album allowed him to look inward and he highlights how these people have made a change in his life. We’ve seen him at his lowest on this record, and seen how relationships with people were difficult. This track is Sam saying thank you.