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SAM FENDER 
‘SEVENTEEN GOING UNDER’
Album Review

(11th October 2021)

Review by Georgia Griffiths

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Photo: Charlotte Patmore

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“Urgent, incisive and brave”  ***** -The Guardian

“This is very special indeed”  ***** – DORK

“A towering piece of work… one of this generation’s truly great songwriters”  8/10 – The Line of Best Fit

“Lyrics worthy of a real listen” 8/10 – Clash

“Stunning”  **** – Rolling Stone

**** – NME

9/10 – RIOT Mag

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“Seventeen Going Under, leans into the foundations laid by Hypersonic Missiles, and builds a very impressive home atop them.”

Sophomore albums are often a struggle for solo artists, particularly those that see meteoric success with their debut. Internal and external pressures to better a stellar debut have seen many artists fall at the first hurdle. In the case of UK singer-songwriter Sam Fender, the stakes were high. His debut, Hypersonic Missiles, was met with critical acclaim – packed with heartwrenching songwriting and masterful musicianship. Having achieved huge success, particularly in the UK, all eyes were on Fender for his second album. The result, Seventeen Going Under, leans into the foundations laid by Hypersonic Missiles, and builds a very impressive home atop them.

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“Fender’s strength lies in creating anthemic singalongs with a devastating undertone.”

Fender primarily takes inspiration for Seventeen Going Under from his upbringing and adolescence. Unable to take inspiration from the broader world during the COVID-19 pandemic, he turned inwards to draw out some hard-hitting revelations. From his strained relationship with his father on ‘Spit Of You’ to his anger at the world’s elite on ‘Aye’, Fender sings about the darkest corners of his mind. ‘Mantra’ and ‘Last To Make It Home’ stand out as deeply personal reflections. Throughout the album, these hard truths are supported by richly layered instrumentals. Fender goes beyond the typical sounds expected in indie rock, choosing lavish horn sections and big choruses to bring his message home. Despite this though, there’s one influence that shines through: Bruce Springsteen. Fender brings The Boss’ working-class anthems into the 21st Century in his own way. ‘Get You Down’ feels as if it could have been released in Springsteen’s heyday, complete with a ripping saxophone solo, while ‘The Dying Light’ is a piano ballad that wouldn’t be amiss on Springsteen’s 1980 classic The River. There’s nothing wrong with having your influences on your sleeve as Fender does, particularly when it’s done this well.

There’s a number of songs that are easy to envision being screamed back by crowds, especially ‘Getting Started’. Fender’s strength lies in creating anthemic singalongs with a devastating undertone. While ‘The Leveller’ isn’t as outwardly catchy as ‘Getting Started’, they’re cut from the same cloth. Overall, Seventeen Going Under is powerfully confrontational, and at times hard to listen to. It’s a masterclass in songwriting, and reflects Fender’s skill in creating tracks that caress your face musically while punching you in the gut lyrically. The home Fender builds here may be daunting, but it’s worth exploring every room.

“Fender goes beyond the typical sounds expected in indie rock, choosing lavish horn sections and big choruses to bring his message home.”

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SEVENTEEN GOING UNDER 
Track Listing:

Seventeen Going Under
Getting’ Started
Aye
Get You Down
Long Way Off
Spit Of You
Last To Make It Home
The Leveller
Mantra
Paradigms
The Dying Light

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Photo Credit – JACK WHITEFIELD

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Follow SAM FENDER
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

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Sam – “Doing some personalised album signing for Banquet Records !! Order from their store, add your message at the checkout and I’ll sign it on your album. Not gunna be doing many of these so be quick!! Limited time only x order HERE.”

Press Release 11th October 2021 (below) HERE

SAM FENDER 
‘SEVENTEEN GOING UNDER’ 
Album Out Now

This Week’s
TRIPLE J
Feature Album

Shares ‘SPIT OF YOU’ Clip

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AMNPLIFY – DB