We’re two weeks out from the release of Ride’s new album Interplay, which means it’s time for another sneak peak. This time, it’s “Monaco”, which further affirms the new record will be upbeat and synthy and I am here for it.

Mark Gardener recently gave an expansive interview to Under The Radar about the coming out of COVID life to make the new record, working with producer Richie Kennedy, and balancing old material and new while on tour. He also talked about writing the new single:

“Monaco” will be the next single. It was one of those that came together as we already had the backing track and the guys had left the studio, so I remember saying to Richie [Kennedy], “We’re going to try and get the top line down on this tonight.” So, we turned on the mics, put some delay on it and basically let’s just see what happens. It was one of those that came together in one night and it was brilliant. We were playing “Monaco” on the American tour with The Charlatans last year because we felt that was a strong single straight away, and also a good one to play live. There’s two or three others that I think are obvious singles as well. Also, “Monaco” was so angry about how everyone is being smashed by economics and prices in this country. We’re all being smashed to pieces and having to live to work rather than work to live. As people we’re working harder as we get older just to afford to pay the bills. I’m working harder now than I ever have in my life, and everyone around me seems to be in that same boat. At what point did living to work become the thing, rather than working to actually live? The living part seems to have disappeared a bit, so “Monaco” was written as a response to that.

Mark Gardener, Ride
Ride on Forthcoming Seventh Album “Interplay” @ Under The Radar

And because my friend Brad filmed it, here’s the live debut of “Monaco” in Boston last February: