The long wait is over: Sam Fender shares his first taste of new music in two years with comeback single “People Watching.” The song was the first to be released from his third album people watchinghe announced earlier this week that the album will be released on February 21 via Polydor Records.
Fender releases his second album, The seventeen-year-old fellIn 2021, he topped the Official UK Albums Chart and headlined his biggest ever shows, including a 40,000-capacity gig at London’s Finsbury Park. In early 2024, the Newcastle-born artist teamed up with folk-pop crossover star Noah Kahan for the joint single “Homesick”.
The new song is described in a press release as “written for his late friend and mentor Anne Allwine” and based on Fender’s “ideas while traveling to and from her palliative care home.” The song was produced by Adam Granduciel of The War On Drugs. You can listen to it below.
Earlier this week, Fender took to his Instagram to reveal the upcoming LP and inspiration. “It’s kind of ironic because she [Orwin] She was the one who gave me the confidence to get on stage… and now the entire song (and album) is tied to her,” he wrote.
Sharing the artwork, he added: “The band and I have been picking these songs over the past few years, and we’ve recorded a lot of material in that time and thought long and hard about what’s coming next. We decided to pick up this series for our next outing. Special thanks to Dean and Joe who have been with me every step of the way, they are incredible producers in their own right and I am forever proud and grateful for what the band has really gotten during this time. In order to develop, I am lucky to be surrounded by such a talented group of people.
In December, Fender will kick off his first full UK and Ireland tour in Dublin, Ireland on December 2, followed by stage shows in London, Manchester, Birmingham and beyond. A wider European tour will take place in 2025, with dates for North America and beyond to be announced.