If there was ever a song that hit home, it was this: “Growing Up” by James Stephen & The Good Ones. The raw, relatable song was released on the 6th of June 2025 and it’s an honest piece of music. It touches on the subject of growing up and realising life is a little different than you imagined. A simple track, “Growing Up” sounds like a 60s throwback with UK-Americana and a style that’s reminiscent and new. It features singer James Stephen who wrote the lyrics and captured the hope and struggle of growing up. He speaks from the heart and that’s why this track stands out. It’s also helped by the talented guitarists Elliot Robertson and Sam Lord, who lend it emotion. These songs are crafted in a way that lifts the lyrics and makes them memorable.
What “Growing Up” speaks to everyone who has thought they were a little too young when they should have been a little older. From the concept of a carefree summer to trying to scrimp and save a few pounds to get through. As the saying goes, it doesn’t seem like much, but it means a lot. It has an additional bonus track in an outro with Liverpool artist BANNERS who happened to walk into the studio one day and added the track on the spot. This is what makes this track special and sticks with you long after the music has finished.
It was recorded at Whitewood Studios in Liverpool and mixed by Danny Woodward. If this is a taste of what is to come from this band, then they’re looking at a good future. They have performances booked at Goatfest main stage and it will be great to see how they progress. This isn’t just a track about getting older. It’s about the highs and lows of life, accepting them and popular on. That’s what makes this track so popular.
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