New EP from Steve Young

Some artists never really stand still on their musical journey, not because they’re chasing momentum, but because music itself keeps pulling them into new spaces. Steve Young is most certainly one such artist; originally from the Isle of Wight and now based in Hertfordshire, he’s spent decades building a life that moves between performance, songwriting and education. On stage, in a classroom or working within rehabilitation programmes, music has been a constant thread running through everything he does.

Alongside his work as a performer, he’s become a dedicated music teacher, working across schools including Special Needs Academies and high schools, guiding students through guitar, bass, drums, keys and songwriting. Long before his recent artistic projects took shape, he was already making an impact place in the industry, from signing a record deal with ZTT/Warner in the 90s as part of the band Rehab to working as a session guitarist for artists like Lionel Richie, Peter Andre, Dane Bowers and Delta Goodrem.

His time performing with Darren Hayes between 2007 and 2012, contributing to the album Secret Codes & Battleships further added to a career that’s never stayed in one lane. Across his own releases, that same sense of adventure and constant development continues. Even his live work has never been confined to a single format and with his band The Real Time Players, Steve has become a familiar presence across major UK festivals, from the Isle of Wight Festival to Planet Rock Stock, Black Deer Festival and beyond.

Since 2014, he’s delivered four albums and with his latest EP titled Riffin For A Livin, he builds on the rock and blues style of his 2025 album Famous For A Day. The EP brings together four original tracks alongside two blues covers from the early 1900s, reinterpreted with a swampy, textured edge. These sit alongside bonus material, including live recordings and a home demo of “Hero,” a song that has become closely associated with his performances.

Opened with “Good Times,” the record starts off with a lively jam brimming with bright vocal layers and grooving riffs propelled by the lively patter of drums, forming a swaggering blues rock outing wrapped in a delightfully dusty fabric. “She Said” follows with the steady taps of percussion as breezy guitar chords float in alongside smooth synth lines and organ textures before Steve’s alluring voice glides above to form a charming country-tinged scene dashed with memorable melodic leads and buoyant energy.

With “Nobody’s Fault,” the twang of lead guitar notes tumble above gritty chords while Steve’s commanding vocals roll above the punch of drums to cast a stomping swamp rock moment. At the centre of the EP is “One Man Jukebox,” a track that doubles as an autobiographical reflection on a thirty-year journey, capturing the reality of life as a working musician, performing hundreds of songs to sustain both career and craft, while quietly acknowledging the determination it takes to keep going.

A key presence throughout is award-winning keys player Stevie Watts, whose piano and Hammond contributions add warmth to the arrangements, notably felt on their cover of the Ram Jam classic “Black Betty.” Built on marching rhythms and crunchy guitar groovers cut with intricate leads and shrouded in a smokey atmosphere, it’s a stunning display of Steve’s knack for reimagining beloved music in his own way.

The two live recordings of “S.Y.U.K Special” and “One Man Jukebox” capture Steve and his bandmates in the moment, showcasing their creative synergy and performance panache. Closing the EP in heartfelt fashion, his intimate recording of “Hero” presents a delicate finale where Steve’s tender vocals hover above delicate clean guitar backing and soft percussion, offering a superb conclusion to his incredible new release.

Listen to Riffin For A Livin below