Never in a million years did I think I’d be here talking about a brand spanking new single from shoegaze royalty Ride … but the world works in weird ways, and here we are. Their first release in 20 years, Charm Assault is exactly what it says on the tin. With its compressed, jangling and scathing guitar struts, claustrophobic drum track, and more mature vocals, Ride‘s fresh new effort rings true to their roots, but also takes influence from their contemporaries, including DIIV, who were name-dropped when the new track premiered on BBC Radio 6.
Charm Assault pummels through with a steady tone before an intense bridge of guitar feedback and building drums – something that was a bit amiss on Ride‘s pedal-heavy earlier releases, such as their seminal 1990 album ‘Nowhere’. Reloading with a wah-wah sounding effect, Charm Assault exemplifies the sheer timelessness of the Oxford natives in and amongst the current music scene.
There’s not much else to say for this reverb-heavy release other than we’re really, really, really, excited for the new album set for release this summer, and even more excited to see Ride hit the road again.
For the latest info on the legendary Oxford bundle of shoegaze joy, keep locked into their Facebook.
Words by Jasmin Robinson
