There’s something instantly gripping about a debut single that sounds fully formed, and Stepout arrive with that kind of intent on Stuck In The Dark. Hailing from Cannock, the four-piece — Ben Horton (drums), Tom Grimsley (vocals), Oli Jelfs (bass) and Gethin Edwards (guitar) — introduce themselves with a track that doesn’t ease its way in; it strides forward on a groove that feels both nostalgic and fresh, tapping into the spirit of classic British indie while keeping its eyes fixed firmly on the now.
Built around a hypnotic, Roses-esque guitar riff, the song leans into a swaggering rhythm that locks in early and refuses to let go. There’s a real sense of movement to it — the kind of rolling, late-night pulse that feels tailor-made for packed venues and dimly lit dancefloors. The groove carries a hazy, baggy confidence, but there’s also a modern indie sheen that stops it from feeling like imitation. Instead, Stepout sound like a band drawing from a rich lineage and carving out their own lane in the process.
Vocally, there’s a quiet urgency at the heart of Stuck In The Dark. Tom Grimsley’s delivery sits neatly within the instrumentation, allowing the melody to breathe while the guitars shimmer and churn around it. It’s that balance — restraint mixed with punch — that gives the track its emotional pull. You can hear shades of contemporary indie acts in the texture and atmosphere, but the DNA of the song is rooted in that timeless Manchester-leaning groove that defined an era.
What makes the single even more impressive is the story behind it. Recorded in drummer Ben Horton’s bedroom and later mixed and mastered by Eddie Thomas of Creation Records, Stuck In The Dark carries that raw, DIY spirit that has long been at the heart of the UK indie scene. There’s an authenticity running through the track — the sense of a band building something from the ground up and capturing lightning in a moment.
For a debut, it’s remarkably assured. Stepout understand the power of a great riff, the importance of rhythm, and how to build a mood without overcomplicating the moment. Everything feels intentional, from the pacing to the layered guitar tones that subtly rise and fall throughout.
Stuck In The Dark doesn’t just introduce Stepout — it announces them. Confident, melodic, and built on a groove that lingers long after the final note fades, this is the sound of a band stepping out with purpose and making it clear they’re ready to be heard.
Gigs
13.02.26 Dead Wax supporting Headwired
21.02.26 Top Of The World and Social
20.06.26 Sunflower Lounge Supporting The Denabys
Step Out Socials
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