Little Angels // Big, Bad & Back // EP Review

Releasing new music after thirty-two years must be as daunting and nerve-racking as releasing your debut album, but for Little Angels there is no need to fear, as the five tracks on this EP will attest: they sound as good as ever, maybe even better.

“All For One” gets the EP underway with its funky keyboard intro before really taking off when the drums and bass come in to full effect. Jepson’s vocals are as strong as ever, and his delivery is amazing, while Dickinson’s guitar work is nothing short of phenomenal; this one has a killer rhythm, and the big singalong chorus is deadly. Oh, and the brass section isn’t a bad addition either; a brilliant track.

The crunching riffs that drive “Hero” are a real throwback to classic rock, and the reason we all fell in love with this music, and with the thumping drum and bass beat, is that it’s just majestic. Jepson’s vocals are on point particular in the chorus where they just soar, Dickinson’s solo at the backend is amazing, proving that he is no slouch and the sands of time have not diminished his playing at all, this is another great example of rock n roll as it should be played.

The anthemic “Small Town Boys” is probably the best track on the EP, with its Who-style keyboard and guitar opening it just sets the track up and only gets better from there. The interplay between the guitar, drums and keyboard is brilliant and gives Jepson the perfect platform to open his pipes and let fly; the track as a whole is off the chain, and it is such a shame it’s taken thirty odd years to get new music when you hear tracks like this- exceptional. “You Want Love” is a raucous, bluesy rocker that goes from the off, through the chugging riffs, to the brass section, to the piano; everything is seamless. Guest vocalist Doris Brendel adds a little extra spice to the track, and the way she plays off Jepson is killer, as they really complement each other. Both Dickinsons give a great account of themselves, with Jim banging out a groovy piano solo while Bruce drops a deadly solo at the end of the track; this one is a real live wire.

The ep closes with “Raised To The Ground”, which has a real classic rock vibe, with the piano to the fore, backed by a kicking rhythm from the bass and drums and some magnificent fretwork from Bruce. Jepson’s vocals are immense, and he really leaves it all on the floor here, a fitting finale that will hopefully lead to a full-length album soon.

Review: Conor

Pre-Save EP HERE
Pre-order CD & Vinyl HERE

Big Bad & Back EP’ Track Listing
All For One
Hero (That Was Then, This Is Now)
Small Town Boys
You Want Love
Raised To The Ground

Little Angels return to the stage this November for an ultra-rare UK tour, featuring the classic line-up of vocalist Toby Jepson, guitarist Bruce Dickinson, Jim Dickinson on keyboards, Mark Plunkett on bass and drummer Mark Richardson.

Big Bad & Back Tour – November 2026
Mon 09 Nov – Dublin – Opium
Tue 10 Nov – Belfast – Limelight
Thu 12 Nov – Glasgow – O2 Academy
Fri 13 Nov – Manchester – O2 Ritz (Sold Out)
Sat 14 Nov – Leeds – O2 Academy (Sold Out)
Mon 16 Nov – Norwich – UEA
Tue 17 Nov – Newcastle – O2 City Hall
Thu 19 Nov – Oxford – O2 Academy
Fri 20 Nov – Nottingham – Rock City (Sold Out)
Sat 21 Nov – Wolverhampton – KK’s Steel Mill (Sold Out)
Mon 23 Nov – Cardiff – Depot
Tue 24 Nov – Liverpool – O2 Academy
Thu 26 Nov – Bristol – O2 Academy
Fri 27 Nov – Bournemouth – O2 Academy
Sat 28 Nov – London – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (Sold Out)
Sun 29 Nov – London – O2 Forum Kentish Town