[12] Following brief acting roles on the shows Vera and Wolfblood, Fender released his debut single "Play God" on 30 March 2017.

[14] In 2018, Fender was placed on BBC's Sound of 2018 shortlist alongside Billie Eilish, Khalid, Lewis Capaldi and winner Sigrid.

[18] Talking about the EP, Rough Trade wrote, "Dead Boys deals explicitly with male suicide and mental health issues, and has caused outpourings of emotion among a growing band of followers", noted the "slower, plantive chords" of Leave Fast and "spiky riffing" on Poundshop Kardashians, and said that "That Sound wriggles and bangs through a melody that supports the big-hearted idea that music keeps Sam Fender on the straight and narrow.

[20] Dominic Lee from The Courier, gave the EP a positive review, stating, "The Prelude opens with a beautiful arpeggio guitar segment overlayed with cascading strings and Sam’s distant vocals crying out in an almost hymn-like introduction before the guitar deepens in the transition to the title track.

[...] Fender shows real lyrical talent on this track, resonating with issues that many men- and people in general- are often reluctant to talk about and bringing them to the forefront of his music.