RYDE shares new single “Stop the Wheel”

This year, Bristol-based newcomers RYDE landed on the music scene as the city’s latest midnight confession. The alternative pop duo, featuring the talents of Apple of My Eye’s Arran Glass and Bronte Shandë of the Amy Winehouse band, forges music that feels like it’s been waiting for you in the dark; cinematic in execution but disarmingly intimate.

Their songs circle around the listener with an emotional context framed in a hazy fusion of folk songwriting, pop appeal and mesmeric trip hop rhythms. Both artists came from accomplished musical worlds but RYDE’s sound takes shape somewhere entirely new; together, they blend fragile harmonies with vast, atmospheric arrangements, building wholly immersive sonic spheres.

In October, they made their official artistic entrance and unveiled their shared sonic vision with their debut single “Winter.” Firmly planting them on the map of must watch new acts in the UK music scene, they quickly won over fans and received praise from critics like BBC Introducing’s James Threlfall. Now RYDE brings us the follow up with their sophomore single titled “Stop The Wheel,” presenting a dissection of the paralysis of the modern age, where the constant stream of global crises meets the numbness of helpless observation.

Thematically, the song skirts the emotional idea of people trying to hold onto their humanity in the age of overload, wrapped up in an engrossing alternative pop setting that flows through multiple twists and turns. Brought in by warm vocal harmonies and woozy, stretched textures, the rustle of laid back percussion injects a mellow forward motion as soothing melodies engage in a balletic dance with delicate piano flickers.

Shifting with subtly punch groove, the slick taps of drums, performed by Pete Flood of Bellowhead and pulse of bass are capped by stunning vocal leads before simmering down to a dreamy progressive folk scene. Surging with energy, Bronte’s dazzling voice takes flight to soar above as Arran’s smooth delivery maintains a steady presence, the arrangement glides with the roll of pattering drums and twinkle of playful keys and strings as the momentum melts away to leave a sense of stripped back, instrumental bliss.

Concluding with a graceful orchestral outro, the song floats out with echoes of airy vocalisations to leave a lasting impression of the song. It’s a spectacular showcase of RYDE’s fiercely original songwriting and arrangement flair, brought to life by their magnetic performance panache. Having gone from strength to strength on what’s sure to be their breakout year, we can’t wait to see what this exciting new band on the rise has in store for 2026 and beyond.

Listen to Stop the Wheel below

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