7/10

Some records feel like they’ve been forged through years of playing, surviving, and showing up night after night with a guitar in hand. And 'Riffin For A Livin’' is exactly that kind of release, as Steve Young & The Real Time Players roar back with a swaggering, full-blooded celebration of everything that makes rock and blues feel alive.

From the first strike of guitar, there’s an undeniable sense of momentum. The playing is sharp, confident, and completely unfiltered, capturing that sweet spot between precision and rawness. The grooves lock in tight, the riffs hit with weight, and everything feels built to be played loud.

At the centre of it all is Young himself, whose journey bleeds into every note. There’s a lived-in quality to the songwriting and playing that you simply can’t fake. Decades of honing his craft come through in the way the tracks move; effortless on the surface, but underpinned by serious musical depth. It’s the sound of someone who has spent a lifetime inside the music, not just passing through it.

A huge part of the EP’s punch comes from Stevie Watts, whose keys add richness and fire in equal measure. Whether it’s the warm roll of piano or the unmistakable swell of organ tones, his contributions elevate the entire project, giving the songs a dynamic, full-bodied feel that perfectly complements the grit of the guitars.

The reinterpretations of classic blues cuts are a particular highlight, delivered with a swampy, groove-heavy energy that feels both reverent and revitalised. They inject these nostalgic gems with new life, bringing a fresh intensity that makes them feel right at home alongside the original material.

What makes 'Riffin For A Livin’' so exhilarating is its honesty. It doesn’t polish away its edges, instead, it leans into feel, groove, authenticity, and everything else that makes this style timeless.