Sam Fender’s powerful single ‘Dead Boys’ is a direct look at the very real problem of male suicide rates. Whether it’s in your hometown, your country, your continent or the world as a whole, it’s something that we cannot ignore and Fender isn’t afraid of raising his voice in this high-octane, intense, rock-laden single. Speaking about the track, this Tyneside musician cites that, "Dead Boys is a song about male suicide, it's a song I wrote after losing some people close to me. The lyrics talk of my hometown but this is a global problem and after playing the track at festivals all summer and chatting with fans with similar stories, it's heart wrenching learning the scale of it. If this track helps one person open up then it's the best thing I could hope for." The visual accompaniment to ‘Dead Boys’ also has a real impact. The first minute is one of visual stillness, vacant expressions, and obscure angles, but as that kick drum comes in, we begin to see a little more movement. It’s subtle and often shocking, but that’s exactly the feeling we have around mental health if ignored - we don’t realise what’s happening until too late because we don’t look for those small signs that a person needs help. As the song launches into the fury of guitars, drums and Fender’s unmissable voice, the images become more visceral - a mosh pit in the locker room, a kiss in the shower, lying in a field holding hands, a grandfather and grandson - examples of people reaching out to one another, perhaps making the difference. In the words of the video’s director Vincent Haycock: “The video means a lot to both of us: I'm incredibly proud of the call to action Sam put forth and entrusted with me. Our theme was toxic masculinity and fragile masculinity, and how this can effect young men. I wanted to maintain focus and yet slightly abstract the visuals so that it becomes more about the pressure people are feeling and the possible hopeful outcome that love could bring to these situations.” - Hannah Thacker