Ride “Interplay”
UK indie shoe-gazers Ride are back with their seventh album Interplay. Written and recorded during the pandemic it shows a band that can still knock out some killer tunes and clearly have not run out of things to say.
It is an intriguing album that commands attention moving forwards rather than hanging on to nostalgia aka 1990 – 1994. Their trademark sound is there and opener Peace Sign is the hook to get you in to the album. It has plenty positive feels and is optimistic. The splendour of Last Frontier is worthy of much adulation and the 80s tinged Monaco shows more of the melodic side of Ride.
Ride take some well considered moves to keep things fresh and inject something new in to the mix whether that be the lush strings of Sunrise Chaser or the ambient charm, loops and chiming guitars of Essaouira. Being the longest track on the album there’s so many layers to this song which keeps getting better with each listen. There’s much to glean from the reflective album closer Yesterday Is Just A Song, even just the song title alone, and the lyric “we don’t have to think about tomorrow” leaves plenty to ponder right there tapping in to the central themes of growth and resilience on the album.
Another significant album highlight for me is the exhilarating Portland Rocks. Whilst it is tucked away towards the end it feels as if this one has always been in the Ride discography but still offers something refreshingly new. The shoegaze glory of Light In A Quiet Room is another reminder of the genius of Ride.
Ride have delivered a great album and shows great confidence in who they are now whilst embracing their past but continue to keep on moving forwards.
Album Review By Rob Lyon
