Shoegaze pioneers Ride have dropped ‘Monaco,’ a compelling new track from their much-anticipated seventh studio album, Interplay, which will be released on 29 March through Wichita Recordings and PIAS. Following their critically acclaimed ‘Peace Sign’ and ‘Last Frontier, ‘Monaco accompanies the announcement of their upcoming tour across the UK and Ireland this September.
Frontman Mark Gardener shares the inspiration behind ‘Monaco’ (which you can listen to here), rooted in the contemporary economic strain. “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,” Gardener reveals. The title ‘Monaco’ ironically contrasts the song’s critique of societal and financial pressures.
Interplay marks Ride’s third album outing since their 2014 reunion, promising a combination of the band’s early hypnotic hooks and a broader sonic palette inspired by 80s pop. Produced alongside Richie Kennedy and mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer, the album resonates with themes of resilience, dreams, and modern life dissatisfaction as the band navigates through their collective musical journey and personal trials.
READ MORE: Staring at Pedals: The History of Shoegaze
Songwriter Andy Bell notes, “This album has taken a long time to make and has seen the band go through a lot of ups and downs, maybe the most of any Ride album. But it has seen us come through the process as a band in a good place, feeling able to shake off the past, and ready to celebrate the combined musical talents that brought us together in the first place.”
Comprising Andy Bell, Mark Gardener, Laurence “Loz” Colbert, and Steve Queralt, Ride’s influence has burgeoned, inspiring a new generation of shoegaze enthusiasts and artists. With Interplay, Ride not only acknowledges its storied past but also propels itself into contemporary relevance, bridging generations of fans with its evolving sound.
Ride UK & Ireland tour dates – tickets on sale 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
Photo credit: Cal McIntyre
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