Sam Fender has been a musical prescience in the U.K. for a few years now. I first heard of him in 2018 where I saw his name on a tour poster, he was supporting one of my favourite bands ‘Blossoms’ and I decided to have a listen to some of his stuff.
The ‘Dead Boys’ EP was the only thing that had been released by Sam up to that point and I really enjoyed his lyrics about things I was seeing. ‘Poundshop Kardashian’s’ became a firm favourite and the way he tackled male suicide on the title track is the best anyone has done it!
His debut album ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ came in 2019 and featured the tracks ‘Dead Boys’ ‘The Borders’ ‘Play God’ and of course the title track. It showed a maturity to the songwriting. The subjects themselves were sensitive and sometimes heartbreaking but Sam had the ability to make them into sing along classics. Sell out tours and festival appearances came and went. He was on the up.
A pandemic hit the world in 2020 and like many others Sam was forced to shield. This time alone, let him look inwards. Songs like ‘Seventeen Going Under’ ‘Last To Make it Home’ and ‘Spit of You’ were formed from this time away and the parent album also called ‘Seventeen Going Under’ was released. This album blew up. Rightfully so it’s an unbelievable record. Radio play along with other social media like TikTok led to a new generation of fans for Sam. A top 10 single and a number one album for a guitar act is an unbelievable achievement.
A new generation of music fans, have come along for the ride. Every decade has that one artist. Is the 2020’s Sam Fender?
I think he might be...