Exploring gritty issues that the Geordie icon grew up around, including poverty, “the cold permeates the neonatal baby” from the very catchy ‘Chin Up’ and the ills of fame as highlighted on spectacular track ‘TV Dinner’ “, I cashed out heading hellbound / now they point and laugh”. The English singer carries on exploring difficult topics and new sounds on the deluxe part of the album.
Kicking us right off is ‘I’m Always on Stage’. A heartfelt and sorrowful tale about Fender’s life as a musician, you can hear the pure exhaustion in his voice, and it begins to open up a wider conversation about how we should be treating our creatives. “If you see me smile, it’s forceful and violent / you had my soul when it was vibrant before I lost it on stage”. With only guitars and his beautiful and tender vocals, you’re able to understand just how tiring this life is and how it can take you away from those you love dearly if you let it consume you.
The next two are unique in their own ways. ‘Talk To You’ features what may be one of the most iconic collabs of the century. Teaming up with Elton John to create a masterpiece, it’s a cinematic showcase wrapped up into five minutes. Describing the woes of a relationship ending due to Fender’s unfaithfulness, “but I cheated, and it’s over / but I don’t want an excuse for my mess” It’s refreshing to see how someone is able to be so honest despite being the ‘villain’. From the shimmering piano by John himself to the scorching guitar solos and tantalising drums that pepper the track, it’s a gorgeous track that stays with you well after the first listen. Meanwhile, ‘Fortuna’s Wheel’ takes a step back from the glimmering production. Another track with just guitars and vocals, while it’s the shortest, it doesn’t make it any less impactful. With the echoing of “I just hope you’re happy”, you just can’t help but be excited to see where the rest of the album is going to go.
‘Rein Me In’ is what so many have been waiting for. Featuring the stunning Oliva Dean (whom he has toured with previously), they complement each other perfectly, crafting the song into the delight which we know and love. Written originally as a solo that stars on the main body of the album, the track has been elevated by the addition of Dean. Indie-rock and soul collide on this emotionally charged song, talking about the push-and-pull of a relationship and the struggle of being vulnerable with the person you love. A testament to the power of two of the hottest voices in UK music, it leaves you excited to see if they’ll collaborate again in the future.
‘Me and The Dog’ and ‘Tyrants’ both take on a similar sound to Wunderhorse with their darker and grungier guitars. ‘Me and The Dog’ is certainly one of the more grim songs. Dealing with mental health issues that the North Shields singer has always been open about, it portrays living alongside death (which ‘The Dog’ is a metaphor for, arising from English folklore) and how it’s the only certainty in our lives. Tom Ungerer’s bass and Drew Michael’s drums should be highlighted here; they craft the backbone and turn it into something captivatingly tragic. ‘Tyrants’ is about going against the grain and not letting anyone hold you back. For this, it’s quite a powerful song which many need a reminder of sometimes, especially in the age of social media, where judgment comes easily.
The last two tracks may be the most heartbreaking, especially the final, ‘Empty Spaces’. ‘The Treadmill’ is a sonic symphony, with groovy bass parts and Jon Sanchez’s signature saxophone; it’s everything you could have wanted from the singer-songwriter. Brooke Bentham’s backing vocals let ‘Empty Spaces’ reach staggering new heights. Sounding like some of his past releases, including critically acclaimed 'Hypersonic Missiles’, it is one of the best closers to an album that’s been heard in a while and showcases how Fender always hits the mark.
A complex mix of emotions, ‘People Watching (Deluxe)’ is the finale of an extraordinary year for the artist and leaves you enthralled to see where he can go next.
Madi Briggs
Image: ‘People Watching (Deluxe)’ Official Album Cover