The anticipation to Ride‘s new album ‘Interplay’ is reaching heady proportions with the drip feed of brilliant singles leading up to its release on March 29 via Wichita and PIAS. Next in line is ‘Monaco’ – another indication of Ride’s inherent pop sensibilities and a move to something more motorik and synth based. I’m sure there is an unconscious nod in the title to the band of the same time fronted by Peter Hook, because the style and approach of this new track draws on some of the New Order arrows in the quiver to affix to the bow.
Frontman Mark Gardener’s powerful lyrics are matched by an icy, throbbing synth rock intensity that reflects the urgency of their subject, as he explains:
The backing track came from the earlier Ox4 Sound sessions we did and we gave it a demo name of ‘Monaco’ as we were naming these jams and ideas we were pulling together as place names. One evening, during the recording sessions at Ox4 Sound, the guys had all left the building and I was there with just producer Richie Kennedy and an engineer. I had been writing some words about how I was feeling that everybody was being smashed in the current economic climate with the rise of energy bills and all else; to the point that it just seems now that we’re having to live to work instead of working to live.
The song is a reflection on this feeling of how we’re all being smashed to pieces and under pressure constantly financially. It’s a kind of call to arms against this whilst we still have strength to fight against it. ‘Monaco’ then stayed as the ironic title as the song is totally against the madness of the few who live in their artificial, detached rich bubbles in Monaco.
As ever, passionate and articulate, this confirms the new album will be something of a statement – they are producing so far some of the best singles of their career. And that’s a strong endorsement.
You can pre-order the album here.
Catch Ride on the road in the coming months:
Tickets available here
Mon 02 Sep 2024 – UK – Belfast – The Limelight
Tue 03 Sep 2024 – Ireland – Dublin – 3Olympia
Wed 04 Sep 2024 – Ireland – Cork – Cyprus Avenue
Fri 06 Sep 2024 – UK – Sheffield – The Leadmill
Sat 07 Sep 2024 – UK – Newcastle – Boiler Shop
Sun 08 Sep 2024 – UK – Glasgow – TV Studio, SWG3
Tue 10 Sep 2024 – UK – Liverpool – Furnace
Thu 12 Sep 2024 – UK – Leeds – Leeds Beckett University SU
Fri 13 Sep 2024 – UK – Manchester – New Century
Sat 14 Sep 2024 – UK – Bristol – SWX
Mon 16 Sep 2024 – UK – Falmouth – Princess Pavilion
Tue 17 Sep 2024 – UK – Portsmouth – Guildhall
Wed 18 Sep 2024 – UK – Brighton – Chalk
Fri 20 Sep 2024 – UK – London – Roundhouse
Sat 21 Sep 2024 – UK – Wolverhampton – The Wulfrun at The Halls
Sun 22 Sep 2024 – UK – Cambridge – Junction
Ride North America Tour Dates
Weds 08 May 2024 – USA – Portsmouth – 3S Artspace
Thurs 09 May 20224 – USA – Amherst – The Drake
Sat 11 May 2024 – USA – Boston – Big night live
Mon 13 May 2024 – Canada – Montreal – Théâtre Fairmount
Tues 14 May 2024 – Canada – Toronto – The Concert Hall
Weds 15 May 2024 – USA – Detroit – Majestic Theatre
Thurs 16 May 2024 – USA – Chicago – Metro
Fri 17 May 2024 – USA – Minneapolis – Fine Line
Sun 19 May 2024 – USA – Englewood – Gothic Theatre
Weds 22 May 2024 – USA – Vancouver – Commodore Ballroom
Thurs 23 May 2024 – USA – Portland – McMenamin’s Mission Theater
Sat 25 May 2024 – USA – Seattle – Showbox at The Market
Feature Photograph: Cal McIntyre
“This is not a safe place” is a fantastic album, i can’t wait for the new one