The title “Stepson” is a play on the word “stepson” and refers to the repeated lyric “step by aching step, son”. It’s sang from the perspective of a father to a son whom he cannot help. Yannis was quoted in NME as saying that it was a reference to Icarus.

The mythological Greek craftsman Daedallus was imprisoned with his son Icarus and made two sets of wings out of wax and feathers for them to escape. He warned Icarus not to fly too close to the son or the wings would melt, but Icarus failed to heed this warning and fell into the sea.

Later Foals tracks Ikaria and 10,000 Feet from 2019 album Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 2 allude to the myth of Icarus as well.