Following the release of his debut album back in 2019, Sam Fender has returned with captivating coming-of-age track, Seventeen Going Under, and has provided us with all the details for his upcoming sophomore album.
08/07/21
Photo credits: Tom Oxley for NME
It’s an indie rock emergency! Sam Fender is back with his striking new single, Seventeen Going Under, which means we’ve officially entered his new era!
The new track, which was Annie Mac’s Hottest Record In The World last night (07/07/21), begins with a repetitive, yet catchy acoustic riff, giving the initial impression that it is going to be a slow, acoustic effort, until the drums kick in, helping the tune evolve into a true, Sam Fender-style indie banger.
And if that isn’t Sam Fender-esque enough, the chorus features both soaring vocals and a resonant saxophone embedded in the backing track, a feature that is evidently a vital part of Sam’s personal brand.
Within the first verse, Fender intones, “That’s the thing it lingers”, which not only perfectly encapsulates the feeling of looking back on your teenage years, reflecting on some of the struggles encountered along the way, but also how memorable the riff that runs throughout the almost four-minute number is. The tune seems to linger in your brain for ages, even after you’ve stopped streaming the track on a loop.
Seventeen Going Under is a tune that really corroborates Sam’s ability to craft such a catchy song made for both the radio waves and the headline slot stages at festivals up and down the country, whilst at the same time telling a story so vividly that it creates the illusion that you, too have lived, and still are living, the same life as the indie rocker from North-Shields.
That’s the best thing about Sam Fender – his music and lyricisms come from the soul. He has something important that he wants to say, and he uses his music as a way of making that statement, something which is incredibly refreshing to hear, especially when it catches your attention on the radio, after a row of seemingly lesser thought-out pop tracks about break ups, drugs and sex.
You can watch the accompanying music video for Seventeen Going Under below:
The new tune has also been revealed to be the title track and opener from his upcoming sophomore record, Seventeen Going Under, set for release on 8th October 2021, under Polydor Records.
When in conversation about his upcoming LP, Fender has described it as “a coming-of-age story” that is “about growing up. It’s a celebration of life after hardship and it’s a celebration of surviving”
You can pre-order the record here (but quick warning, there’s a range of exciting bundles to choose from, so you might end up with a few in your basket. That’s not entirely a bad thing, though, is it?)
KATIE HILLIER
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