Deal punks, The Young Hearts, continue their deeply-personal journey through life, change and resilience with five new songs. Euphoria and anguish sit side-by-side on the band’s new EP, The Good, The Bad & The Rest Of Us.

Release Date: 12th June 2025

Label: Self Release

Formats: Digital

A FLOWING GOWN OF EUPHORIA

Hailing from Deal, Kent, The Young Hearts are: Craig Lawrence (guitar, vocals), Aaron Jackson (guitar), Stewart Thorpe (bass) and Andrew Pepin (drums). The Good, The Bad & The Rest of Us is the band’s new EP and it follows their 2023 album, Somewhere Through the Night. With this new offering, The Young Hearts continue their deeply personal journey through life, change and resilience, and they do so with an approach and attitude that dresses their heartfelt contemplations in a flowing gown of euphoria.

Reflecting on the personal growth and the steadfast spirit that he’s had to develop in order to navigate the pitfalls of the music industry, frontman Craig had this to say: “Growing up had always been a consistent theme with all opur releases. We’re navigating adulthood one day at a time and I believe that’s why people find such a strong connectionj with our music – because it’s something we can all relate to.” And, elaborating upon the sound that the band have honed for this latest release, Craig continues: “We almost stumbled into this version of ourselves. [Bruce] Springsteen writes huge songs, fit for stadiums, but, when you delve into the stories, you instantly feel a connection. That’s our kind of blueprint.”

IS SPRINGSTEEN IN THERE?

The mood is full-bore euphoria right from the outset, as the EP’s title track gets The Good, The Bad & The Rest of Us underway. The bass pulses and the guitars churn and chime – but there’s a lot more on show here than just mere punk. As we’ve already noted, The Young Hearts cite Bruce Springsteen as a formative influence and that influence comes over loud – and very clear.

A Lead guitar lick sets the theme for the strident, confident, Outlaws, whislt the rest of the band concentrate on doing what they do best – creating a tight, punchy, deluge of sound. Again, the Springsteen influence is evident, but, if I may, I’d suggest that The Boss was never as forthright as The Young Hearts are here…

GRABBED BY THE THROAT!

Inspired by the band’s own turbulent experiences, the magnificent Steady Hands is ultra-bright and powerful. It grabs the listener by the throat after only a couple of bars, and holds that grip throughout the song. Speaking of the circumstances behind the song, Craig says: “It’s the constant battle against disappointment and the setbacks that every band goes through that inspired Steady Hands. We left the dream of ‘making it big’ behind us a long time ago, which has allowed us to keep going at our own pace and in our own way.” And Craig’s voice is both defiant and glorious as he delivers the song’s punchline: “Let’s start a riot!”

The breathless, riffy, Hell or High Water is, perhaps, the most overtly punky track on the EP – and it’s also, possibly, my favourite! But it’s a tight, clean, bass and drum combo that provides the drive behind closing track, A Life on Fire. The guitars add power as they sporadically join in a song with a distinctly 1980s post-punk feel that closes the EP on the same euphoric tone on which it started.

Listen to Steady Hands – a track from the EP – below:

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