Tag: Indie

  • Billie Eilish: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT and the Value of Authenticity

    Billie Eilish: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT and the Value of Authenticity

    Billie Eilish, a household name at just 23 years old, has been writing and producing music with her brother, Finneas, for 10 years now. They have rapidly risen to fame since ‘Ocean Eyes’ was released on Soundcloud in 2015, mesmerising listeners with their unique, often dark, musical style and Billie’s delicate yet powerful vocals. Their latest album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, released in May 2024, is undoubtedly my favourite of theirs so far. It is varied and emotive, with catchy melodies and beautiful music. I believe there are factors beyond the music that draw so many people to Billie, however, namely, her appearance as a genuine, relatable and authentic individual, rather than an untouchable celebrity.

    The siblings have seen great success so far, and their latest album has not let them down. Over their musical career, they have won a dazzling array of accolades, including nine Grammy Awards, four Brit Awards, two Golden Globe Awards and many more, and Billie is the first person born in the 21st Century to win an Academy Award, an incredible achievement. Her voice has been called “ethereal” (Stone, 2017) with a “beautiful and fragile timbre” (Pentreath, 2024), and several have argued that HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is her “best album yet” (Martoccio, 2024). Brown (2024) calls it “a record that whispers its way through a marvellous maze of music to deliver some big emotional wallops.” 

    I have to admit I played this album on repeat when it first came out! It is sensitive, heartfelt and bold, weaving through a variety of moods, from the flirty and provocative ‘LUNCH’, to the delicate and restrained ‘WILDFLOWER’.

    Some other stand-out moments for me are the cheeky and sarcastic first half of ‘L’AMOUR DE MA VIE’, with its catchy melody and Billie’s effortless and perfectly satisfying vocal runs, and ‘CHIHIRO’, a song with many layers, building from controlled intensity to unleashed desperation. This track is particularly addictive, with its cool, atmospheric bassline (a feature which Finneas has mastered throughout this album and is one of my favourite elements – you can’t beat a catchy, prominent bassline in my opinion!) and the way the beat occasionally cuts out adds tension and drama.

    The final track, ‘BLUE’, ties together the whole album by subtly linking back to previous songs in the album. For example, its melody is introduced at the end of the previous song, ‘BITTERSUITE’, which the line ‘I’m still overseas’ also references; ‘I thought we were the same / Birds of a feather’ is an echo of the track ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER’; and ‘I told you a lie, désolé, mon amour’ hints at ‘L’AMOUR DE MA VIE’. I like the sense of coherence this creates in the album – it makes it seem like a journey through a labyrinth of emotions, culminating in this final track.

    Finneas’ masterful production helps make this array of emotions come alive, with music that conveys the meaning of the lyrics, such as the flirty bassline accompanying the mischievous lyrics in ‘LUNCH’, or the dramatic strings and drum crashes in the climax of ‘THE GREATEST’, intensifying the feeling of desperation and anger.

    Some critics have been slightly less complimentary, however. For example, Fantano (2024) describes it as “safer” and “taking less risks than her previous albums”, and Jocelyn (2024) claims that “the insistence on multipart epics and ballads kills the momentum.”

    Whilst I don’t necessarily agree with these specific points, I do believe there are some slightly weaker moments in the album. For example, despite it being an incredibly successful single (reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100, being the most streamed song on Spotify in 2024 and receiving three Grammy nominations in 2025), I don’t think ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER’ has quite the same depth, complexity or emotional range as some of the others, and although it has a sweet melody, it doesn’t draw me in as much.

    Furthermore, the first half of ‘L’AMOUR DE MA VIE’ is catchy and understated, but the second half, which switches style completely, featuring blaring synths, an electronic drum beat and heavily auto-tuned vocals, doesn’t add much to the song in my opinion. The contrast is unexpected and I like that they have experimented with structure and style, however, I think the first half would have been a great song as it was. Regardless, the album as a whole is varied and has many great tracks, and the success Billie and Finneas have seen so far must count for something!

    In fact, I wanted to explore more deeply why audiences have connected with Billie and her music to such an extent. It seems that her apparent honesty and authenticity are a big factor. As Billie explained in an interview with Fadel and Harrell for NPR (2024) that,

    “for [HIT ME HARD AND SOFT], I finally got over the need to prove everyone wrong… it was about expressing myself,”

    and that “you should just be as vulnerable as you can without thinking about how people are going to hear it, and then go from there.” In a similar vein, Finneas told Codinha for Vogue (2024), “the thing that was really important to me was really pushing Billie to be honest.”

    I think they have succeeded. Listening to the album, it doesn’t feel like they are trying to be something they’re not – it sounds like they simply sat down together and experimented with Billie’s vocals and different instruments. As Finneas told Martoccio (2024),

    “This album was an exploration of what we do best.”

    They have tackled some deeply personal and sensitive topics in the album, too, such as ‘SKINNY’, where Billie gently sings, ‘People say I look happy / Just because I got skinny’ (more on the pressure she has faced for her body image later); the disconcerting ‘THE DINER’, where she sings from the point of view of a stalker – particularly eery as Billie herself has been on the receiving end; and the heartfelt and emotional tone in her voice in ‘BLUE’ when she sings ‘I’d like to mean it when I say I’m over you / But that’s still not true’. Millar (2025) notes, “Her music mirrors the struggles of her generation: mental health, identity, and the pressures of growing up in a digital age,” and this  transparency is what has drawn so many fans to the artist, making her a very relatable figure.

    Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour at Manchester Co-op Live, July 2025.

    Similarly, when I was lucky enough to see Billie perform live in Manchester in July (I am still dreaming back to that night!) I got the impression that I was watching a down-to-earth human, rather than an “untouchable celebrity” (Millar, 2025). It wasn’t pretentious: there were minimal special effects on the stage and Billie captured the audience purely with her mesmerising voice and masterful stage presence, and she genuinely appeared to be having fun, which was contagious! This comes across in interviews, too; she doesn’t seem to be trying to impress anyone, she is just being herself, and this is so nice to see in an artist.

    That Billie seems to have stayed true to herself amidst the pressures of fame, particularly at such a young age, is truly inspiring – she is only a year older than me, and I can’t even comprehend being in her position! As she has recounted in many interviews, however, it was by no means easy, and I can’t help feeling for her. She explained to Fadel and Harrell (2024) that,

    “It was a lot, and it still is a lot. Every day I struggle with figuring myself out. Instead of just getting to feel how it feels to learn something about myself, I have to hear about what everyone else thinks about it.”

    Especially with today’s ubiquitous and often suffocating presence of social media, Billie has struggled with the fact that “the world can see every aspect of your life and reminisce about [it]. It’s so weird” (interview with Lancaster, 2021). She has sadly suffered from depression in the midst of her fame, telling Gayle King in 2020 that “I was so unhappy last year… I was so joyless,” and that “I genuinely didn’t think I would make it to 17” (cited in Wong, 2020). 

    The scrutiny that Billie faces is the reason that she has concealed her body in baggy clothing (still looking incredibly cool whilst doing it!) for lots of her career. She is acutely aware of how her body could be used as a source of judgement like it unfortunately is for so many men and women in the public eye. Celebrities, particularly women, are increasingly sexualised – whether this is a message of empowerment or pressure from labels to boost sales is a debate for another time. 

    Even in baggy clothing, Billie hasn’t escaped scrutiny for her appearance. As she stated in the voiceover to her short film, NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY, shown at her 2020 world tour, “Some people hate what I wear / Some people praise it / Some people use it to shame others / Some people use it to shame me.” As Fitzgerald (2021) highlights, this is a wider societal issue: “The media bombards us with the message that happiness, self-esteem, and a positive image of ourselves is a reward for having ideal bodies.” Billie responds, saying, “Let’s turn it around and be empowered in that… Showing your body and showing your skin — or not — should not take any respect away from you” (cited, ibid.). This is a powerful message that she is sending, making it no surprise that she has been called “a force, a positive influence to a generation raised on social media” (Pippa Haupt, cited, ibid.). Her resilience and honesty must truly be applauded, and it inspires me, as I’m sure it does many others. 

    A highly talented artist and dynamic personality, Billie is an inspiring role model, particularly for young girls, for her rejection and resistance against what the public eye and, on a more relatable level, society, expects of her. She also serves as an important reminder that celebrities are merely human, and as audiences, fans or critics, we should perhaps treat them more gently and not expect quite so much from them all the time. 

    Brown, H. (2024) Billie Eilish review, Hit Me Hard and Soft: Pop star whispers her way to big emotional wallops. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/billie-eilish-hit-me-hard-and-soft-review-b2546074.html. (Accessed 22 Sep 2025). 

    Codinha, A. (2024) Billie Eilish Has Grown Up. https://www.vogue.com/article/billie-eilish-november-2024-cover-interview. (Accessed 5 Sep 2025). 

    Fadel, L. & Harrell, P. (2024) Billie Eilish finally remembers who she is. https://www.npr.org/2024/05/17/1251790138/billie-eilish-finneas-hit-me-hard-and-soft-interview. (Accessed 4 Sep 2025).  

    Fantano (2024) Billie Eilish – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. https://theneedledrop.com/album-reviews/billie-eilish-hit-me-hard-and-soft-album-review/. (Accessed 5 Sep 2025).  

    Fitzgerald, R. (2021) Billie Eilish’s Vogue cover lays bare the hypocrisy of a culture that is killing women. https://medium.com/the-glitter-gold/billie-eilishs-vogue-cover-lays-bare-the-hypocrisy-of-a-culture-that-is-killing-women-7a80870c7ec0. (Accessed 6 Sep 2025). 

    Jocelyn, H. (2024) HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/billie-eilish-hit-me-hard-and-soft/. (Accessed 5 Sep 2025).  

    Lancaster, B. (2021) Billie Eilish on her complicated relationship with the internet, the price of fame and the “new Billie”. https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/features/billie-eilish-on-her-complicated-relationship-with-the-internet-the-price-of-fame-and-the-new-billie/news-story/1c6e34914c93e17dd7299a8bd9aa1b5c. (Accessed 7 Sep 2025).  

    Martoccio, A. (2024) Billie Eilish Would Like to Reintroduce Herself. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/billie-eilish-hit-me-hard-and-soft-mental-health-fame-1235003585/. (Accessed 4 Sep 2025). 

    Millar, M. (2025) The Billie Eilish phenomenon: Why she’s so popular. https://www.xsnoize.com/the-billie-eilish-phenomenon-why-shes-so-popular/. (Accessed 7 Sep 2025). 

    Pentreath, R. (2024) How good is Billie Eilish’s singing voice, from a classical music perspective?. https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/music-theory/billie-eilish-voice-analysis-classical-perspective/. (Accessed 4 Sep 2025). 

    Stone, A. (2017) Watch Billie Eilish Set Fire to a Bad Relationship in New Video for “watch”. https://www.vice.com/en/article/watch-billie-eilish-set-fire-to-a-bad-relationship-in-new-video-for-watch/. (Accessed: 4 Sep 2025).

    Wong, C. M. (2020) Billie Eilish On Mental Health: ‘I Didn’t Think I Would Make It To 17’. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/billie-eilish-mental-health-gayle-king_n_5e2af414c5b6d6767fd2c89c. (Accessed 25 Sep 2025). 

  • OK Computer: A Manx Radiohead

    OK Computer: A Manx Radiohead


    On the 15th August 2025, I met with OK Computer, a Radiohead cover band from the Isle of Man. They were setting up for one of the last rehearsals before their concert on the 22nd. One by one, the six members trickled in, carrying their many instruments into the relatively small studio while I picked their brains. I learned about their favourite songs to play, those they find most challenging, and gained insights into what it is like to cover one of the most renowned, prolific and varied bands of the 21st century. The gig the following week was top-notch and the audience of dedicated Radiohead fans loved it – it has been fascinating to delve into why Radiohead has such a draw for so many listeners. 


    First playing gigs in 2018, OK Computer was formed when Dave Brew, lead singer (‘Thom Yorke’), was tired of being rejected when he suggested to his other bands that they play Radiohead. He reached out to other musicians that he thought might be interested and pretty instantly had a group formed. They have since played many gigs around the Island, featuring a mix of Radiohead songs from various albums, once playing through the full OK Computer album, and have steadily amassed a strong and dedicated following. 

    OK Computer (1997) album cover

    With the opportunity to speak to the members, I wanted to gain some insight into the inner workings of the band, such as how they decide which songs to play. Unsurprisingly, owing to Radiohead’s vast output, they said choosing what to play requires about 20% compromise; even their band name was chosen via a referendum. There are certain songs that they have found particularly tricky to learn, including ‘2+2=5’ and ‘Pyramid Song’, due to their unusual metres, ‘The Tourist’, because of how slow it is and therefore difficult to stay in time, but they highlighted that it varies for each instrument. They have also picked up on which songs are the most popular amongst audiences, such as ‘Fake Plastic Trees’, ‘Bodysnatchers’, ‘Let Down’ and ‘Creep’. At the gig, I too noticed that ‘Karma Police’ and ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out)’ were particularly well-received, really engaging the crowd. My personal favourites were ‘Myxomatosis’ and ‘Paranoid Android’; the atmosphere they created was electric.

    The band learn the songs from live versions rather than studio ones; these would be impossible to replicate. You could therefore pick up on certain features that aren’t present in the studio recordings, for example, I especially enjoyed the extra syncopated bass idea in ‘Myxomatosis’.

    Rehearsals

    Radiohead are notorious for being ‘depressing’, and I was curious as to whether playing so much of their music can get heavy. But no, they said, 

    “they’re too hard to play to be depressed!“

    Even the ‘sad’ ones, such as ‘Let Down’, they acknowledged, are actually uplifting and often build. They captured this excellently in the gig, for example, the increase in intensity in ‘How to Disappear Completely’ was very impactful and really stood out to me. 


    At the gig, I was impressed by the sound they produced and the quality of their playing. They are superbly talented – the songs were played flawlessly and were so tight and well-rehearsed; every member knew exactly what they were doing. With Radiohead, this is crucial – with many layers, changing time signatures and unusual instruments/techniques used, their songs are complex and unpredictable. Demonstrating their versatility, the band members often switched instruments and added new instruments for certain songs, such as a drum machine for ‘Idioteque’, and their stamina is admirable – three straight hours of Radiohead must take some concentration, to say the least! They really captured the essence of Radiohead – from the clips of radio played between songs, to the pre-programmed keyboard sounds, to the tone of the guitars – and the audience loved it. People were dancing and singing the whole way through – there was even a mosh pit towards the end!

    Villa Marina Promenade Suite – August 2025

    The band has had a great turnout since the beginning, with audiences spanning generations, from as young as teens. I wondered what it is about Radiohead that has made them so popular for so long and attract such a wide variety of listeners. Asking OK Computer what they thought, they suggested it might be because Radiohead are constantly evolving – each album is unique, with something for (nearly!) everyone, and they blur boundaries, making it difficult to assign them to a single genre – OK Computer couldn’t even decide between themselves. Another point they raised is that 

    “Radiohead haven’t sold out to record companies.” 

    For example, in their rebellion against the dominance and hegemony of major record labels and the imbalanced distribution of funds, meaning artists themselves profit marginally from singles and album sales, their 2007 album In Rainbows (my favourite album, as well as Dave’s) was self-released as a download. With no set price, fans were able to choose how much they paid for the album, which could be as little as nothing (plus an administration fee of 45p). This departure from conventions and widely accepted structures is part of the reason they are such a unique band. They experiment with their music; for example, OK Computer described them as using their instruments like toys. I love this idea – it captures how, like children, they are unconfined by traditional methods and sounds, resulting in much more creative results. It also has a lot to say about what people value in music: authenticity, personality and creativity.

    OK Computer is a fantastic tribute to Radiohead, with a deep understanding and genuine appreciation of the band and their music. Individually, they are very talented, and they blend seamlessly into a band together. If you are a Radiohead fan on the Island, I would thoroughly recommend you catch them at one of their next concerts!

  • Album Review: Bastille Presents, “&” (Ampersand)

    Album Review: Bastille Presents, “&” (Ampersand)

    My rating: 8/10

    Bastille rose to fame with their single ‘Pompeii’, which was released in 2013 and reached number two on the UK Official Chart. Since their moody and dark first album All This Bad Blood, released the same year, Bastille has explored a variety of styles, including the more upbeat Wild World (released in 2016), the concept album Doom Days (released in 2019), and the futuristic and electronic Give Me the Future (released in 2022). “&” (Ampersand), released at the end of 2024, is a solo project of Dan Smith, lead singer and songwriter, released under the Bastille name. It is one of their most stripped-back and raw albums yet, and is unique in its inclusion of “story songs”, as Smith calls them, describing “people who I think are fascinating, and whose lives really spoke to me”.1 There is much to unpack in this album, from the lyrics to the accompanying music, and interestingly, to me, it is the most similar yet to their original style in All This Bad Blood, which is what made me fall in love with their music in the first place. Having said that, although having been a slight (major!) Bastille fan since about 2013, I endeavour to be objective when reviewing this album.

    Bastille | Artist | GRAMMY.com

    Atmosphere

    As an album, “&” creates a calm and tranquil atmosphere. This is achieved with the use of pensive and melancholic strings (a bonus for me, as a string player!), for example in ‘Leonard & Marianne’, ‘Essie & Paul’ and ‘Red Wine & Wilde’ to name a few, combined with Smith’s gentle and often subdued vocals accompanied with haunting backing harmonies. Soothing instrumentation accompanies the strings, including piano, for example in ‘Telegraph Road 1977 & 2024’; simple yet effective acoustic guitar, such as in ‘Seasons & Narcissus’; and moments where all instruments drop out to leave choir-like vocals, like ‘Drawbridge & The Baroness’. Often, instead of a prominent drum/bass beat which could risk interrupting the serene atmosphere, a more subtle pulse is formed using gentler timbres, such as strings, acoustic guitar, or a nonintrusive drum part such as in ‘Mademoiselle & The Nunnery Blaze’ (which, being in a triple metre and using a snare, is a lot like ‘Flaws’ from their first album). This is something the band has mastered from the beginning and helps make their songs unique: they have always experimented with different timbres, instruments and beats, often also including electronic instruments. Their versatility and constant exploration of new sounds and styles from song to song and album to album make them stand out as a band. Turning back to “&”, the peaceful atmosphere (which distinguishes it from their previous albums, which have tended to be more upbeat and lively) reflects Smith’s writing process. As he explains, “I wrote these songs at my kitchen table so they needed to sound homemade and intimate and warm.”2 Whilst the gentle nature of this album is lovely, I would say that it might not be entirely versatile in different settings, however, as a very particular mood is created.

    Live Review: Bastille – O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, London 17/11/2024 — When The Horn Blows
    “&” (Ampersand) performed live

    Lyrics

    One of the most intriguing aspects of the album is the clever, poignant and thought-provoking lyrics, through which Smith’s background in literature shines. With the use of metaphors and hidden meanings, for example, “So echo back my promises” in ‘Red Wine & Wilde’, the meaning is not necessarily clear on the first listen, drawing the listener in to interpret their significance. As Smith explains in the lyrics of ‘Intros & Narrators’, the first track, the album recounts “other stories” which are “more interesting” to him; “So much bigger, boldеr, braver than I’ll ever be”. That each song delves into and depicts the experiences and events of peoples’ lives makes them all the more captivating, for example, in ‘Zheng Yi Sao & Questions For Her’, the listener is invited to learn and think about the woman the track is about. The lyrics also offer philosophical musings and commentaries on society and our relationships with the world, such as the eloquent observation that “We can get so cruel when we don’t understand” in ‘Marie & Polonium’, highlighting how ignorance can cause us to act in immoral ways, and the line, “Is this real love? I think it is, do you think it is?” in ‘Seasons & Narcissus’, commenting on the enigma that is love, about how confusing yet wonderful it can be. Furthermore, the line, “Would I be who I am without the sadness in me?” in ‘Blue Sky & The Painter’ is the heartfelt realisation that sadness might simply be ingrained into the narrator’s being, something that they can never escape. These compelling lyrics add thoughtfulness and sensitivity to the otherwise beautiful melodies that they interweave with.

    Every Song on Bastille's “&” (Ampersand) Explained | Trill
    “&” (Ampersand) album artwork

    Classic Bastille style

    Despite “&”  being a solo project of Smith’s, there are several moments in the album which strike me as being very characteristic of Bastille’s sound. These include rich and resonant harmonies, such as the lovely chorus of ‘Emily & Her Penthouse in the Sky’; the deep and atmospheric opening of ‘The Soprano & Midnight Wonderings’; and the la’s at the beginning of ‘Mademoiselle & The Nunnery Blaze’, characterised by the unexpected B♮ which is the leading tone of the song’s key, C minor, and gives the melodic line a darker and more interesting colour. These remind me of the harmonies that flowed through the first album, for example, in the introductions of ‘Icarus’ and ‘Haunt – Demo’. Bastille are also masters at creating extremely striking, intimate and powerful moments where the listener is met with a wash of acapella harmonies, like the beginning of ‘Drawbridge & The Baroness’, one of my favourites on the album. Immediately capturing your attention, the lack of accompanying instruments and the richness of the vocal layers give the feeling of time standing still. This again reminds me of their first album, particularly songs such as ‘Get Home’, which similarly opens with intimate acapella harmonies, and the bridge of ‘Skulls’, in which Smith’s powerful voice mixes with resonant vocal harmonies, accompanied only by sparse electronic drum beats. To me, this is one of the most wonderful and arresting aspects of Bastille songs.

    The beautiful instrumentation in “&” is also often reminiscent of All This Bad Blood, such as the mesmerising and daydream-like piano arpeggios in a high register in ‘Drawbridge & The Baroness’, reminding me of the bridge in ‘Get Home’. Similarly, the prevalence of string accompaniments throughout the album was also present in the first; see ‘Oblivion’, or ‘Things We Lost In The Fire’, for example. I love that the band’s older style seeps through, as it is so unique and characteristic of them. However, new elements and styles are also incorporated into this album which they haven’t perhaps explored as much previously, for example, the more rock-esque electric guitar in ‘Drawbridge & The Baroness’ and ‘Blue Sky & The Painter’ and the folky character of some songs, such as the simple acoustic guitar in ‘Red Wine & Wilde’ and ‘Seasons & Narcissus’. This convergence of their older style with unfamiliar sounds further proves their adaptability and desire to evolve and be creative as a band, a quality that is arguably crucial for an artist to remain fresh and avoid becoming stagnant in their style.

    Talent 

    The power and quality of Smith’s voice are outstanding in “&”, made even more prominent by the stripped-back instrumentation. Some particularly striking moments for me include ‘Leonard & Marianne’, where his vocals gradually swell in volume and intensity, and his entrancing falsetto in ‘Drawbridge & The Baroness’ and the end of ‘Zhen Yi Sao & Questions For Her’. As well as Smith’s masterful vocals, the accompanying music is beautiful, with a gorgeous combination of instruments wonderfully arranged, sometimes even verging on classical. The strings, as already mentioned, add emotion and depth, and the glissandos in ‘Zhen Yi Sao & Questions For Her’ create an almost cinematic effect. Similarly, in the likes of ‘Telegraph Road 1977 & 2024’ and ‘The Soprano & Midnight Wonderings’, the gentle and peaceful piano creates a lovely accompaniment, contrasting with often unexpected moments of electric guitar, for example in ‘Blue Sky & The Painter’ and ‘Drawbridge & The Baroness’, as mentioned above. Overall, they are very well-written songs with balance, variation and clever interplay between the vocals and instrumentation, demonstrating Smith’s skill as a songwriter and the musical talent of the band.

    Conclusion 

    “&” is an album of very high quality, from the lyric writing, to the arrangements, to the standard of the vocals and instrumental performance. It is unique in the way that it tells stories about people and moments in history, and yet is very characteristic of Bastille, combining some of their familiar older features with new elements. The album sets a calming mood and atmosphere, and as Dan reflected, “For me it’s been the most brilliant, fun and chilled process – while also trying to do justice to the lives of these amazing people,” and this shows.3 Dan is a masterful songwriter and Bastille is an excellent band, and my love for them has not wavered! They are unique, thoughtful, and talented musicians.

    1. Bastille (2024) ‘Bastille Presents “&”’, Bastille Newsletter, 22 July. ↩︎
    2. Ibid. ↩︎
    3. Ibid. ↩︎
  • Album Review: Sam Fender, People Watching

    Album Review: Sam Fender, People Watching

    My rating: 7.5/10

    Sam Fender’s popularity as an artist has steadily increased since he first released music in 2017, culminating in his most recent album, People Watching. Fender has been nominated for and won many awards, and having been a big fan for several years I am excited to review his latest album, People Watching. His style and unique sound have fully developed in this album and his powerful lyrics shine through as usual. Although some moments in the album are not as striking to me, overall it is well-crafted and has some great tracks. 

    Fender has a unique sound which has weaved its way through all his albums but flourishes in People Watching. This includes his catchy and clever guitar work. Most songs in the album feature guitars prominently, some with intricate overlapping layers, like ‘Wild Long Lie’, and others with a folky style, including ‘Rein Me In’ and ‘Something Heavy’. As well as being a prominent aspect of his style, it makes the songs where it isn’t present stand out more, such as ‘TV Dinner’ and ‘Remember My Name’, which instead more prominently use instruments like piano, strings and brass, proving his versatility as a songwriter. Often commonly featured is also an introduction with a steady beat alongside often catchy rhythmic guitars. Some songs that feature this, for example, are ‘People Watching’, ‘Wild Long Lie’ and ‘Crumbling Empire’. Again, contrast is created when this characteristic sound isn’t present. Another unique mark of Fender’s style is the use of a saxophone solo in the bridge or at the end of a song, such as in ‘People Watching’, ‘Wild Long Lie’ and ‘Rein Me In’, which tends to lift the songs and add an extra layer of detail and interest. The distinctive sound that Fender has developed differs slightly from his earlier releases, which often had a darker and more moody atmosphere. Take ‘Poundshop Kardashians’, ‘Dead Boys’ and ‘Play God’, for example, which are striking for their intensity and grit. Whilst I loved this earlier sound of his, it is only natural for his style to have evolved and it is still distinctive and enticing. 

    One element that has always been present in Fender’s work is his ability to write powerful lyrics. They are invariably meaningful and poignant, some examples including “These streets break my heart” in ‘Nostalgia’s Lie’, a sorrowful line juxtaposed with the more cheery melody that accompanies it, and “Do you have to know me / Know me inside out / To have a good time?” in ‘Arm’s Length’, an expression of the feeling of reluctance to give too much of oneself away to someone else. Another example is the line “Everybody here’s got something heavy” in ‘Something Heavy’, an acknowledgement of the struggles that everyone around him is also going through. Fender’s thoughtful lyrics with observations about society and human relationships follow on from the likes of  Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan who, in Fender’s words, “all had something to say.”1 Towards the beginning of his career, he described how “I write from the perspective of an early 20s kid who is trying to grasp an idea of what the hell is going on. I’m asking questions that most people are asking, but just putting a melody or a song to it.”2 As a result, he produces down-to-earth and raw lyrics, such as, “I’ve gone quiet ‘cause my heart / Is still choking up from a love I tore apart” in ‘Wild Long Lie’ and his sensitive observation about the hardships of life that “Sometimes it’s healthier to wallow in it” in ‘Chin Up’. His honesty and humility are also striking beyond the music and further add to the impact of his lyrics: in the context of being compared to Bruce Springsteen, he remarks, “The comparisons are just stupid, he is one of the greatest songwriters ever… I’m like a sh*t, north-eastern, Geordie version.”3

    Sam Fender's 2025 UK stadium tour: How to buy tickets - Radio X

    Some of the melodies in the album are not particularly striking to my ear, however. For example, in ‘Nostalgia’s Lie’, the chorus and verses are not that distinct and the guitar riff that repeats throughout can get slightly monotonous; similarly, ‘Crumbling Empire’ is fairly repetitive; and the melodies in ‘Remember My Name’ aren’t particularly catchy, despite Fender’s vocals excelling and the lyrics being extremely poignant and emotive (paying homage to his late grandparents by singing from their perspective: “I’ll pray you’ll remember my name”). However, I rate many of the songs on the album highly, including ‘People Watching’ with the intensity of its chorus; the catchy tune of ‘Chin Up’; the overlapping guitars in ‘Wild Long Lie’; the subtle but effective chorus in ‘Arm’s Length’; the sweeter sound of ‘Rein Me In’ with its gentle piano and swinging beat; and the much darker and moody sound of ‘TV Dinner’ (a song which reminds me of the intensity of some of his earlier tracks and which I love). Although some songs aren’t that striking to me, which may be in some way due to his very distinctive sound, Fender still manages to create much contrast throughout the album.

    Fender’s distinctive sound has flourished and comes across clearly in this album. It has evolved since his earliest tracks, which often had a darker and more moody atmosphere – and to be honest, I quite miss this! He has not lost his ability to write profoundly meaningful and clever lyrics, however, and this is one of the greatest aspects of his songwriting, as well as his brilliant guitar work. I would say that some songs are slightly repetitive with melodies that aren’t particularly striking, however, overall, People Watching is a great album in which Fender’s talent and skill shine, and it features some very catchy songs with powerful lyrics and commentaries on society.

    1. Mason, A. and Keane, M. A., ‘Sam Fender on being influenced by Bruce Springsteen and having something to say’, CBS News [website], (6 April 2019), https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sam-fender-on-being-influenced-by-bruce-springsteen-having-something-to-say/, accessed 24 April 2025. ↩︎
    2. Ibid. ↩︎
    3. Emery, C., ‘Sam Fender Hates Being Compared To A Rock Legend Who’s Sold 140 Million Albums: “I Have Ripped Off Loads Of Other People”’, Screen Rant [website], (24 January 2025), https://screenrant.com/sam-fender-bruce-springsteen-comparison-reaction-explainer/, accessed 24 April 2025. ↩︎