Hypersonic Missiles

On 16 April 2019, Sam Fender, the newly minted recipient of the BRITs Critics' Choice Award, announced his debut studio LP, Hypersonic Missiles, which released on the 13th of September later that year. The album’s titular lead single (released earlier on March 5) is a fitting glimpse into the record, which Clash Magazine revealed would include a mixture of banging pop songs, political themes, and honest, personal material.

Fender describes Hypersonic Missiles as “a present for fans,” detailing his appreciation for their support in his conversation with Clash:

We just wanted to pick the tunes that spoke to the fans. It’s for them… more than me. The first half of the record is the bit that I’m more passionate about, and the second is a gift to those who have supported us from the start…It’s them grassroots fans that have created this opportunity – they kicked the doors down…It’s only the fans I give a fuck about – if they like it, great. After that I’m going to write some really, really self-absorbed second album that nobody will like!"

The album is entirely produced by Sam’s long-time friend and producer Bramwell Bronte, who last worked with Fender on his November 2018 release, Dead Boys EP.

A promotional video about the making of Hypersonic Missiles was also released on April 16 as part of the album announcement:

The album entered the charts at Number 1. Speaking to the Offical Chart Company he said:

This is beyond dream territory. I thought my dreams were complete when I played Jools Holland, never mind this madness. Thanks to all the fans.'

He received the award for number 1 from football legend Alan Shearer, along with a personalised Newcastle United jersey, with ‘Fender 1’ on the back.