TEARING DOWN THE ARMOUR AND REPRESENTATION | SAM FENDER SHARES NEW SINGLE ‘WILD LONG LIE’

SINGLE REVIEW | ‘WILD LONG LIE’ – SAM FENDER By Keira Knox

Sam Fender has today released new track, ‘Wild Long Lie,’ the second single to be taken from his upcoming third album, ‘People Watching’.

The twisted folk rock song ‘Wild Long Lie’ comes after Fender’s spectacular reintroduction with the soaring ballad ‘People Watching,’ the album title track, last month. The fan-favourite bonus track ‘Me & The Dog’ accompanies the single upon its release.

From the excitement of the returning single, ‘Wild Long Lie’ takes a left turn and ends up with something more introspective, subdued, and modest, but no less powerful. During the Christmas season, Fender explores themes of homecoming and going back to places that are familiar to him within the song.

Softer ballad-like structures with acoustic melodies flow right into the back of your ear drums, rather than the forefront, sitting heavily to allow the impact of the lyrics to hit you at your core. Through his lyrical exploration Fender sets out to tear down the armour and representations present amongst the retelling of somewhat anecdotal stories. A charming tune that features all of the instrumental innovations that one may anticipate from the mainstay of alternative music.

‘Wild Long Lie’ is a song about wanting to escape; Fender’s skill as a songwriter is what makes him so highly regarded; he nails the sense of yearning for someplace beyond the northern industry towns with ease. It’s a song about desperation and an unwavering, burning desire to escape and go forth in search of a more promising future, not some idealised vision of moving away. The song gives listeners the ability to forge their own life’s journey, which has been a key component of some of Fender’s best-loved songs. Its lyrical complexities allow a listener to act with a new found sense of purpose.

As for ‘Me And the Dog’, it’s a much more rugged track, intertwining that instantly recognisable americana sound within. It’s arguably one of Fender’s best tracks, for it to not feature on the album’s track list is a great shame. Taking to social media in November fender stated, “It didn’t quite fit for the final record but it felt like it still deserved to be out there.” It’s deep, dark instrumental feel serves to elevate this track, it is simply remarkable.

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Keira Knox

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