Some records stop you in your tracks. Others feel like they’ve always been there, waiting for the right time to land. Better Days, the stunning new EP from County Durham’s Ste Johnson, manages to do both – a beautifully crafted gut-punch of a collection that wears its heart on its sleeve and soul in every line.

A former RAF serviceman turned full-time troubadour, Johnson’s songs come armed with lived experience and quiet strength – and on Better Days, he proves that authenticity still matters. With a voice that bridges the grit of Springsteen and the warmth of Richard Ashcroft, Ste doesn’t just write songs – he opens doors into real lives, real struggles, and real hope.

The title track, Better Days, kicks things off with a wistful, melodic ode to the past – but don’t mistake this for sentimentality. There’s grit here, and nuance: the kind of reflective storytelling that cuts deeper the more you listen. From there, Tears of a Clown shows off Ste’s quieter side – vulnerable, poetic, and anchored by a vocal performance that’s as tender as it is powerful.

But it’s Go Build A House that really stops the clock. Inspired by time spent volunteering at a homeless shelter, it’s storytelling at its finest – raw, human, and heartbreakingly honest. In the wrong hands, it could feel heavy-handed. With Ste, it becomes a rallying cry.

Elsewhere, The Morning Sun offers a hand to anyone who’s ever felt like they were slipping under, while Little Angel brings things home with a rock-and-roll burst of pure joy – a love letter to his mum, and to the unbreakable spirit of Northern working-class joy.

From top to bottom, Better Days is an EP that earns its place – not just in your playlist, but in your heart. It’s the kind of release that reminds you why we listen in the first place.

Live: North East Homecoming + Festival Debut

If you want to see what all the fuss is about, catch Ste at his hometown headline show at The Cluny, Newcastle on August 8 – a rare chance to see him up close and personal before bigger stages come calling. It’s a full-band performance with a six-piece lineup, and promises to be nothing short of special.

He’ll follow that with a major Hardwick Festival slot on August 16, sharing a bill with none other than Pet Shop Boys and Scissor Sisters. From County Durham to the festival fields – Johnson’s rise feels not just deserved, but inevitable.

With previous support slots for Jeff Beck, Joss Stone, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, plus national airplay and a BBC spotlight under his belt, Ste’s star is rising – but Better Days proves he’s keeping his feet firmly planted in the stories that matter.

Essential listening. One of 2025’s most heartfelt and quietly commanding releases yet. It’s a 5/5 for us

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Ste Johnson – Better Days EP
OUT NOW on all digital platforms
️ The Cluny, Newcastle – August 8
Hardwick Festival – August 16 (Treehouse Arena Stage)
Follow Ste Johnson