Masuk Free Press

Indie rock has always been a confusing genre of music. It’s not defined by a sound, instead being an entire subgenre defined by the idea of not being mainstream. Despite this, the British singer Sam Fender perfectly defines it. His voice and music capture the feeling of indie rock, combining elements of British punk and California vibes with America’s heartland rock. Fender’s most recent release, the single “Arm’s Length” released Jan. 24, showcases this unique blend. Throughout the four-minute duration of the song, listeners are brought back to their better days through a nostalgic haze.

Although Fender has talked about the feeling of nostalgia before with songs like “Spit of You,” they were always rooted in former angst. “Arm’s Length” takes a different approach to the subject. It starts with guitar, using the first 15 seconds to set the warm mood of the piece. Compare this with Fender’s earlier work “Spit Of You” which started with drums, “Arms Length” seems a lot softer, like a trip down memory lane compared to a harsh reminder. The heartiness of Fender’s latest release makes sense when you read about the meaning behind the lyrics. Fender’s previous songs like “Spit Of You”, “Seventeen Going Under” and “Hypersonic Missiles” addressed conflicts Fender faced in his past. Fender grew up in North Shields, England during a period that was ravaged by the presence of drugs and poverty. These issues appeared at the forefront of his other songs, serving as inspiration for Fender to sing about. “Arm’s Length” origins was from a different source, being about music that influenced him in his youth. 

Fender claimed that his original muse came from artists like Jimmy Page and Slash, artists famous for their more aggressive style and traditional rock vibe. These musicians were introduced to him by his father at an early age, and shaped the way Fender learned guitar. However, according to Fender, his music taste changed later on in life, switching to more soul through the influence of his brother, then later to American heartland with a heavy focus on Bruce Springsteen. These influences could be seen throughout his music, with a lot of his earlier releases containing a more intense guitar line while also having a heavy emphasis on brass and synths, which is common in jazz and heartland music. 

This source can be seen in the intro of “Arms Length” with Fender singing 

“sounds like a, like a, like a (Try it again)

Try that, try that again

It sounds like a Kurt Vile thing”

Here in the intro line, it’s made clear that Fender is talking about what inspired him. He repeats the idea that his songs “sound like a” showing that he’s aware that his music has some similarities to his influences, while also mentioning Kurt Vile, another indie songwriter. This central idea of paying tribute to all those who inspired him is a breath of fresh air in the indie rock community. With all that is going on in the world, a lot of artists under the genre, including Fender, have been focusing on current world events, using their music as a way to protest different issues. That’s why “Arms Length” is so unique. Rather than reminding its listeners of their problems, it allows them to forget about their , and remember the past. I think that’s what we need right now. Yes, music is an important tool in advocating for current drawbacks, but it also serves as a way to help their supporters to disconnect. And with a future that’s plagued with potential doom, disconnecting is crucial. 

Sam Fender might not be the most well-known artist, at least to Americans. But he’s giving new life to indie rock through the release of “Arms Length.” The inviting nature of the song showcases what the world really wants: more fun music. Hopefully, we can see more of this calore tone with the release of Fender’s new album “People Watching,” which comes out Feb. 21. Until then, listeners and fans will have to make do with “Arms Length,” streaming on all platforms.