New music from Stevepuddle and his Bivouac Band

Hailing from North London, Stevepuddle and his Bivouac Band have been penning their own story in the alternative folk sphere for over a decade. Coming from a place of poignant reflection, powered by passion and carried by an off-kilter charm, the group has crafted a sound that’s both musically engaging and emotionally compelling.

First making an impression with their debut EP Black Bullets back in 2012, the band built their reputation on a combination of heartfelt songwriting and a sense of community more than image or industry glitz. That ethos carried through to their full-length records, 2015’s critically acclaimed WAA Radish in 2015 and the cult-adored No 1 Luxury Band in 2020, each release documenting the band’s developing identity and Stevepuddle’s keen lyrical lens.

Now, with a new album Like a Ghost on the horizon, Stevepuddle and his Bivouac Band usher in the next chapter with the brand new single titled “The Losing Game.” It’s a track that distils the band’s strength; turning life’s difficult truths into cathartic sing-alongs wrapped in melodic grit. The song serves as the first of several to come, hinting at what the group sees as an exciting shift in their songwriting and production.

Mixed by Kev Feazey, who’s known for his work with The Fierce and the Dead, “The Losing Game” channels a sonic energy that’s at once nostalgic and forward-looking. The sound nods to early Teenage Fanclub and the jangly slacker rock of 90s Boston, but it’s anchored in Stevepuddle’s unique voice and storytelling. Thematically, the song takes a clear-eyed look at teenage alienation, this time viewed from the rearview mirror. “The irony of growing up is realising that the teenage angst we swore was fleeting is actually just the opening act—only the script gets more complicated, and the audience less forgiving,” Steveshares.

Set up by the bright plucks of airy acoustic guitar notes, a gentle lilting rhythmic sway gives way to the laid back crash of drums, crunch of gritty electric guitar chords and warm texture of Hammond organ. Steve’s expressive vocals, backed by soft a backing voice, enter to spin moving melodic lines carrying heartfelt lyrics into the hazy folk rock arrangement, resulting in an anthemic sound that pairs meaningful musical storytelling with a gripping alternative aesthetic.

Deftly balancing the delicate flutter of acoustic guitar and alluring vocal performance with the bold instrumentation, “The Losing Game” sees Stevepuddle and his Bivouac Band serve up an epic showcase of their original and instantly memorable sound. With Like a Ghost on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what this talented outfit has in store for the rest of 2025 and beyond on their enduring musical adventure.

Listen to The Losing Game below

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