Sam Fender
People Watching


4.5
superb

Review

by doofy USER (38 Reviews)
February 25th, 2025 | 51 replies


Release Date: 02/21/2025 | Tracklist

Review Summary: “Slay it again, Sam”

The Fender Blender returns, mixing together his ‘chest puffed out’ heartland rock, that more indie synth sensibility reminiscent of the Killers, and of course his radio ready voice that’s almost sultry enough to get the knees of the ladies in the front row to quiver a bit. Getting in everyone’s favourite War on Drugger Adam Granduciel to produce was an inspired choice that seems an absolutely obvious call in retrospect; his genius contribution here is making the more expansive but potentially low energy numbers really sparkle and glide, especially in the case of the guitar connoisseur’s favourite ‘Wild Long Lie’.

‘People Watching’ is one of those precision targeted releases that could have come across too clinical but avoids that fate thanks to the small details in these instrumentals and the emotive vocal delivery that’s really quite something. As with a lot of heartland rock aligned albums there’s a slight lack of variety but the changes in tone do work well here, like when the thumping Springsteen workout title track fades into the more reflective ‘Nostalgia’s Lie’, or when the somewhat meat and potatoes ‘Little Bit Closer’ gives way to the sprightly barroom acoustic rock of ‘Rein Me In’.

There’s a hint of indulgence here, and there are probably four songs included that sound too damn similar to each other, but overall it’s hard not to embrace the enthusiasm and the resultant sprawl. The dreaded descriptors ‘artistic growth’ and ‘increasing maturity’ both apply, but in this case very little has been lost and the gains feel well earned and genuine.



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user ratings (47)
3.5
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
DoofDoof
February 25th 2025


16540 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This was actually my ‘concentrated listening pick of the week’ ahead of the Jim Ghedi…so this still gets the glorified soundoff treatment.

DoofDoof
February 25th 2025


16540 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Also this album really does slay all the Killers heartland rock efforts, sorry

Beardog
February 25th 2025


5827 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Heard a single, was nice. Friend of mine is a big fan so will check

DoofDoof
February 25th 2025


16540 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

It’s solid Beardog

Beardog
February 25th 2025


5827 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Nice review btw!

DoofDoof
February 25th 2025


16540 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Cheers man, I just knock out these shorties for albums I like a lot but haven't researched too much and where I don't have a lot to say.

Beardog
February 25th 2025


5827 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Crumbling Empire is a jam and a half

Beardog
February 25th 2025


5827 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Why does TV Dinner feel like a Kendrick song lol

DoofDoof
February 25th 2025


16540 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

That is the biggest curveball here, some people say Radiohead...



...but I always thought 'How Much a Dollar Cost' sounded a bit like Radiohead so maybe that's the overlap there :/

IAmEveresttt
February 25th 2025


10 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Technically I’d give it a 4.5, but those 2s need balanced out. This is too good to be given that low of a score

DoofDoof
February 26th 2025


16540 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Good man

zakalwe
February 26th 2025


40956 Comments


I can’t help but like this bloke.

DoofDoof
February 26th 2025


16540 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I thought I was going a bit soft rating this a 4.5 but over the week it’s cemented that score, he could have trimmed two songs, but other than that it’s all you’d want from his style really.

alamo
February 28th 2025


5860 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

opening track is fantastic

ThatDude
February 28th 2025


134 Comments


Just discovered this because of your review. Titletrack is incredible and I can't wait to listen to the rest. Thank you kind sir.

DoofDoof
February 28th 2025


16540 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

ThatDude - np, cheers for saying that



Whole album is real strong I think, hope you enjoy the rest

theBoneyKing
March 1st 2025


24834 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

There are several “Yes, a War On Drugs guitar solo!” moments here. Album didn’t quite hit at first but definitely is now.

Scoot
March 1st 2025


23065 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

great album

lucazade22
March 2nd 2025


983 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

The opening track sounds EXACTLY like The War on Drugs

DoofDoof
March 2nd 2025


16540 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

'Album didn’t quite hit at first but definitely is now.'



I feel this album winning over the Boney King is a big moment :D



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