10 Best Rock Albums Of 2021

Sam Fender proved the comparisons to his idol, Bruce Springsteen, weren't baseless with his second album. It's clear who Fender's influences are, but he's got his own thing going on. He leans on the Geordie accent much more on this record and It's refreshing to hear the young Northerner embrace his roots.

Some of the melodies sound like they were plucked from an early War On Drugs record. Mantra, in particular, gets a little close to the ambience we've become used to from Adam Granduciel, to be truly original, but it still serves a purpose rounding out the album.

Fenders true strength lies in his story telling. The title track was a reflective Springteen-esque ballad, ruminating on the struggles and joys of youth. Spit Of You, is a cathartic coming to terms with his estranged father.

Although there is stronger wordplay on the record, this is the emotional centre, laying bare a difficult and very personal family dynamic. Although at times the record feels soaked in nostalgia, Fender also keeps things in the present, referencing the overly politicised and polarised nature of the world .

It will be interesting to see how this guy develops. From a song writing precipitative Sam Fender seems like he's got buckets to give. He just needs to find his own sound, musically, to maintain this momentum.