THE FRONT ROW

Start With: Help (I’m Just A) or This Night – and then just play the rest.
Out June 18 on streaming, CD and vinyl. Don’t miss it.

If you’re a sucker for unapologetic pop-rock that’s part theatrical, part nostalgic, and entirely thrilling, then buckle up. Leeds-based band Steelers have burst onto the scene with their debut EP Good Things Will Happen Tonight, a six-track masterclass in confidence, composition, and pure musical joy. At just 10 months into their journey, you’d be forgiven for thinking this band had already carved out a few albums. This debut sounds like a group who know exactly who they are.

The EP kicks off with Intro (For A Special Night), and special it is. A cinematic opener that doesn’t so much knock on the door as open the portal to Steelers’ world. Swirling synths, atmospheric layers and a slow build that belongs in the opening credits of a modern sci-fi epic. It’s dramatic, bold, and sets the tone: this band is going to do things their way. Expect this to become their live set opener, it’s designed for the stage, for anticipation, for those hush-before-the-howl moments.

Then we launch into Help (I’m Just A), and this is where the real fireworks begin. A jangly guitar riff opens the track before the saxophone starts to snake in behind the melody. The vocal performance is nothing short of powerhouse, rich, theatrical, and full of command. Think Frankie Goes to Hollywood with a modern indie edge, peppered with blues-rock riffs and a killer guitar solo. The chorus is punchy, the arrangements sharp. For a debut release, this track already feels stadium-ready.

Track three, Fast Friends, takes things to another realm. The 70s influences shine bright here, but it’s done in a way that feels entirely modern. The harmonies are lush, the groove tight, and the band’s versatility starts to shine. The track dances between genres effortlessly – one minute it’s musical theatre, the next it’s Nashville rock, then it dips into a smoky blues club vibe. That it all holds together so naturally is testament to the band’s musicianship and vision.

Come Get Your Man keeps the energy high and the smiles wide. There’s an unmistakable young-Elton vibe pulsing through the keys and chord progressions, playful, smart, and utterly infectious. The vocals are clean and crisp, while the band’s ability to balance musical intricacy with pop accessibility becomes even clearer. Every instrument has space to breathe, but nothing feels overdone. You can feel the band’s enjoyment in this track, it’s bursting with energy and crafted with real care.

Things take a turn into the emotional with The Part That Hurts The Most, a more stripped-back acoustic-led number that shows Steelers aren’t just about the flash – they’ve got substance too. What begins as a tender moment builds with purpose: a driving kick drum, sweeping guitars, and a rising chorus that echoes classic 80s rock ballads. It’s got the soul of Journey, but never slips into cliche. Instead, it feels sincere, heartfelt and purposeful, a beautifully judged change of pace.

Closing the EP is This Night, and what a closer it is. Synth-heavy and brimming with punchy production, it ties the EP together in style. There’s a real Walk The Moon meets Phil Collins vibe here, big choruses, rhythmic drums, shimmering keys, and a nostalgic palette that feels somehow fresh. It’s a bold finish from a band not afraid to go all in.

What makes Good Things Will Happen Tonight such an exciting debut is its cohesion in variety. These aren’t just six tracks thrown together, they form a narrative, a show, a journey. The band flexes their creative muscle without ego, drawing inspiration from decades past without ever sounding dated. There’s a refreshing clarity in what Steelers are doing, no trend-chasing, no genre box-ticking. Just good, honest songwriting delivered with style.

Vocally, there’s real range here, soulful and soaring one minute, warm and understated the next. Instrumentally, it’s immaculate: clever sax lines, emotive piano chords, punchy percussion, and guitar solos that don’t just show off but actually serve the song. You get the sense that every note has been considered. This isn’t a band who’ve stumbled into a decent sound – they’ve crafted it with intent.

Ultimately, this EP feels like a celebration. It’s about joy, heartbreak, friendship, and hope – but most of all, it’s about belief. Belief in their songs, their sound, and their future. And on this evidence, that belief is well placed.

Steelers are one of the most exciting new bands in the UK right now. Not just for what they’ve already made – but for what you know is coming next.