All is well in the world when we get another release from shoegaze maestros Ride in anticipation of their upcoming album ‘Interplay’, due out March 29 via Wichita and PIAS.
This time, ‘Last Frontier’ takes up the baton from earlier single ‘Peace Sign’ (reviewed here) and sets a frenetic pace with all the thunder and blast of the band at their very best. And it is one of their very best.
A sweeping cinematic intro is driven by a surprising synth thrum that morphs into one of the most anthemic pop songs the band has ever produced. Think of something that takes its pop genes from bands like The Lightning Seeds, New Order or Pet Shop Boys with the addition of the uniquely Ride barbed wire spine. Pop melodies and spine tingling guitars combine to create one of their best singles ever.
Andy Bell says:
This was the runt of the litter of the very first jam session from Mark’s OX4 Studio and I didn’t even include it on my shortlist of the best tracks. It was our producer Richie Kennedy who saw the potential of the song, and we attacked this with a vengeance at Vada studio. A complete revamp of the backing track and arrangement was needed and we took it right back to basics, more towards a pounding Joy Division feel. For the topline, I tried improvising at the mic, singing it all different ways, and coming up with new parts on the spot. I felt really exposed but kind of said to myself, ‘you’re among friends, it’s good to push yourself to try new ways to write.’ It feels different to every vocal I’ve ever done. It’s still a new way of working for me but it’s something I want to continue trying as I think it makes for better vocal lines; a good mixture of written and improvised.
If this was the runt of the litter, the rest of the album is going to be superb:
‘Last Frontier’ is out now and can be streamed and downloaded here. Already one of the contenders for single of the year.
Bell says this about the forthcoming album :
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.
You can pre-order the album here.
In the meantime, Ride has announced an extensive UK / Ireland and North America tour, in celebration of the release. See details below.
Pre-sale: Wednesday 14th February at 10am GMT
General sale: Friday 16th February at 10am GMT
All pre-sale and general sale tickets will be available at here.
Feature Photograph: Cal McIntyre
