Released: 13/06/25
Ride bassist Steve Queralt’s solo debut Swallow is a brooding nine-track album blending dark soundscapes like early M83 and Sigur Rós with electronic touches akin to Boards of Canada. Created over five years between Ride projects, it carries a dystopian, Blade Runner vibe. Mostly instrumental, the album’s rare vocals—featuring Emma Anderson and Verity Susman—add emotional depth and political edge, especially on closing track “Motor Boats,” which quotes a poignant poem about societal disillusionment. After initial doubts, collaborations with Anderson and Susman revitalized the project, resulting in a richly textured, powerful record that exceeded Steve’s expectations.