8/10

Since the release of his highly-praised and commercially successful debut album 'Hypersonic Missiles' in 2019, a record that opened at number one on the UK album charts, Sam Fender has sat as one of the most exciting names to emerge in recent years. With many talking about him as the young, British equivalent to Bruce Springsteen, he introduced himself as a bold and uplifting attraction to a scene that had seen its fair share of lacklustre newcomers recently. And after a whirlwind of acclaim, he wastes no time in putting out his sophomore LP 'Seventeen Going Under', a release that deeply improves on his opening gambit.

While 'Hypersonic Missiles' showed incredible promise towards his ideals, there was this lack of creativity within some of the lesser singles. While its radio-friendly efforts shone throughout, many of the remaining tracks fell short and left many feeling like he was not the kind of artist that could produce a succinct full-length. But for 'Seventeen Going Under', he has definitely proven those critics wrong as he unleashes one fresh and enticing offering after another. Channelling that same Springsteen-esque avenue as before, we hear a far more confident frontman at the helm, someone who doesn't shy away from delivering a focused and invigorating direction.

There is this unstoppable pace and vibrancy about this new collection, something that will keep your ears pinned to it from start to finish. 'Seventeen Going Under' isn't just a continuation of his previous material, but a bold step forward for the kind of artist so many picked him to be in his infancy.