2021: This is one of my favorite albums of ‘21. It is reminiscent of fellow Englishmen The Waterboys (#306). It is so fucking uplifting. A perfect road trip companion.

Seventeen Going Under is the second studio album by English musician Sam Fender, released on 8 October 2021 by Polydor Records. It is a deeply personal and introspective record that explores Fender’s childhood and adolescence in North Shields, a coastal town in the north-east of England, and how his experiences have shaped his identity, relationships, and worldview. The album’s title refers to both Fender’s age when he left school and started working as a barman, and the feeling of being overwhelmed by life’s challenges and uncertainties.

The album consists of 11 tracks that range from anthemic rockers to tender ballads, all showcasing Fender’s distinctive voice, guitar skills, and songwriting abilities. The songs are rich in imagery and detail, often drawing from Fender’s memories of his family, friends, lovers, and enemies. The album tackles themes such as poverty, addiction, violence, mental health, politics, religion, and death, but also celebrates love, friendship, resilience, and hope. Fender has described the album as “a coming of age story” and “a celebration of life after hardship”

The album was recorded in December 2020 and February 2021 at Grouse Lodge in Ireland, with producer Bramwell Bronte. Fender was joined by his longtime bandmates Dean Thompson (drums), Joe Atkinson (keyboards), Tom Ungerer (bass), and Drew Michael (guitar), as well as additional musicians such as Johnny ‘Bluehat’ Davis (harmonica) and the Urban Soul Orchestra (strings). The album’s sound is influenced by artists such as Bruce Springsteen, The War on Drugs, Arcade Fire, and The National, blending indie rock, heartland rock, pop rock, Americana, and British trad rock.