Rein Me In

"Rein Me In" was originally included as the eighth track of Fender's third studio album People Watching. The song was written by Fender himself and produced with Adam Granduciel, Markus Dravs, Joe Atkinson and Dean Thompson. "Rein Me In" is about self-sabotage in romantic relationships. In the song, Fender "is too afraid to be 'reined in' by love and instead rejects anyone who gets too close". The lyrics are set over a jazzy instrumental that includes piano and saxophone.^[4][5]

Fender debuted the new version during a 6 June show at London Stadium, bringing Dean on stage to perform it. Videos of the performance went viral.^[6] The two performed the version again on 15 June at Fender's St. James' Park concert. Fender announced the official release of the new version on 20 June, stating that Dean "added a female perspective to 'Rein Me In,' and I think it's all the better for it". Dean said that "Rein Me In" was her favourite song from the album.^[7]

The original version of "Rein Me In" received praise from music critics. Sarah Bea Milner of Screen Rant called the song "catchy" and "earnest", writing that "Fender's mumblecore tenor works particularly well against bright guitar and solid bass groove."^[8] Brianna Corrine of Atwood Magazine noted that it "explores a different, lighter side of Fender’s capabilities" compared to the rest of the album.^[9] Writing for Billboard, Thomas Smith and Sophie Williams described the song as a "starkly arranged epic [...] with a vocal performance that delivers the type of passion and intensity that, the closer you listen, you can feel in your chest".^[5]

The Olivia Dean version was also well-received by critics. Nick Levine of the Official Charts Company called it a "stellar collaboration".^[10] Blunt Magazine's Jake Fitzpatrick wrote that the "stormy, tender and anthemic" version was "a love letter to the kind of songwriting that knows when to burn slow".^[11] Rolling Stone UK included the song in their weekly Hot New Songs playlist.^[12]

A music video directed by Daniel Broadley was released alongside the duet version on 20 June. It shows footage of Fender and Dean during their debut performance of the song on 6 June.^[7]

Digital single

1. "Rein Me In" – 5:39

Digital single

1. "Rein Me In" (live at London Stadium / extended version) – 6:53
2. "Rein Me In" (edit) – 4:03
3. "Rein Me In" (duet version) – 5:39
4. "Rein Me In" (solo) – 5:39

7" single

1. "Rein Me In" – 5:39
2. "Rein Me In" (live at London Stadium / extended version) – 6:53