Sam Fender’s Wild Long Lie: A Haunting Reflection on Hometowns and Escapism

Continuing to build into the release of his third studio album, Sam Fender’s latest offering comes in the form of country-laced single, Wild Long Lie.

Exploring late-night introspection, escapism, and the weight of unresolved emotions, Wild Long Lie captures the tension between staying tethered to the past and the desperate urge to move forward – a theme that fans of Seventeen Going Under will be all too familiar with.

Fender recorded the track in Los Angeles with Adam Granduciel from The War on Drugs, which explains its expansive, Americana-tinged sound. Reflective by nature and marked by vivid storytelling, Wild Long Lie features poignant lyrics like, “I think I need to leave this town / Before I go down,” offering a nostalgic nod to Sam’s signature lyrical inspirations.

Lines like “It’s that time of year again when your past comes home,” immediately establish an atmosphere that is relatable for anyone who’s felt the tension between affection for where they came from and the pull to escape it. Whether you’re in the thick of a hometown return or daydreaming about escape, Wild Long Lie hits that poignant, reflective sweet spot.

Also released as part of the single was Me and The Dog. Speaking on social media in November, Sam teased the track and said, “I love this tune, it was one of the early ones and has existed in various forms since l started writing for album 3. It didn’t quite fit for the final record but it felt like it still deserved to be out there.”

For fans of Sam Fender, this release is both a continuation of what they love about his work and a sign of his artistic growth as he prepares for his third album, People Watching, which is due for release on 21 February 2025 via Capitol Records.