Ride are back with a treat, with their latest track, ‘Last Frontier’, a prelude to their eagerly awaited seventh studio album, Interplay, set to drop on March 29th via Wichita Recordings / PIAS.
Not stopping there, the Oxford quartet has also unveiled plans to hit the road for a sprawling UK and Ireland tour in September 2024, promising to bring their ethereal soundscapes to 16 cities including Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, and a standout night at London’s iconic Roundhouse.
‘Last Frontier’ emerges as a slowly unfurling indie anthem, building a mosaic of sounds that showcases the band’s knack for mixing classic indie with otherworldly sounds.
Andy Bell, the guitarist and vocalist, shares an intimate look into the creation of this track, revealing it as an initially overlooked piece from their first jam session at Mark’s OX4 Studio. The vision of producer Richie Kennedy transformed ‘Last Frontier’ into the compelling track it is now, stripping it back to its core to evoke a “pounding Joy Division feel.”
READ MORE: Disorder! | When a Joy Division gig became a riot
Bell’s approach to the vocals departed from his norm, embracing improvisation to unlock new emotions. “It feels different to every vocal I’ve ever done,” Bell reflects, highlighting the track as a testament to the band’s evolving creative process and the power of stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
Interplay promises to be a landmark album for Ride, bridging the gap between their storied past as ’90s shoegaze pioneers and their current resurgence. Drawing inspiration from ’80s pop icons like Tears For Fears, Talk Talk, and early U2, the album is set against shoegaze’s current revival, resonating with long-time fans and a new generation discovering the genre’s lush soundscapes.
Keep up to date with the best in UK music by following us on Instagram: @whynowworld and on Twitter/X: @whynowworld
