Review: Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts – Troubled Paradise EP

Gypsy Rose Records (October 16^th, 2025)

Reviewer – David Brighouse

Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts are an American rock band from Nashville founded and lead by former Biters frontman, Tuk Smith from Georgia. The current band line-up consists of Tuk Smith (vocals and guitar), Matthew Curtis (bass), Nigel Dupree (drums) and Tobin Dale (guitar).

Tuk Smith is unapologetic in saying that he is producing the type of music that not a lot of other artists are doing at the moment but is the style he wants, which to me is 1980’s American Radio friendly Rock ‘n’ Roll, which isn’t necessarily aligned to what the current mainstream music world is all about in 2025. Describing this new EP as a mini-series coming between last year’s album ‘Rogue To Redemption‘ and the next album, with character driven narratives that tell a story.

The theme of all the tracks follows the time old bad boy and lost girl falling in love and subsequent tribulations and broken hearts and this is demonstrated perfectly by the video to ‘Troubled Paradise‘. As the opening track it quickly grabs your attention with a punchy beat and soaring melody reminiscent of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. ‘Runnin’ With The Wild Ones‘ is more of a tale with slower storytelling verses and lively chorus propelling the narrative along.

‘Sadie Mae‘ follows a similar format but at a slower pace with an underlying acoustic guitar riff punctuated with bursts of electric guitar soloing. Finally, ‘Love Don’t Live Here Any More‘, as the title suggests is a more down beat but heartfelt offering with Tuk almost crying the title over a wailing guitar to bring the song to a close.

If you like the sound of this style music, produced by an artist writing with intelligence and integrity then give it a listen.

Track Listing:

1. Troubled Paradise
2. Runnin’ With The Wild Ones
3. Sadie Mae
4. Love Don’t Live Here Any More

Web Links:

Official Website

Facebook

X

Instagram

YouTube