New LP Swallow by Steve Queralt of RIDE
New LP Swallow by Steve Queralt of the band Ride is here as of June 13th 2025. As of late it is a challenge for me to produce any content for this blog. For a member of Ride such as Steve, I’ll make an exception. I’m told this record is assembled over long time period between touring and making Ride material. Additionally if you follow Ride’s musical journey, then you may be of the opinion that they keep getting better and better in their craft.
Ride is blazing the trail of fresh, atmospheric, music since the “comeback” LP, Weather Diaries. If that isn’t enough, Mark Gardener is producing other artists music with an impressive array of studio gear. Andy Bell is heading up solo projects under his own name and GLOK. You can check out more on this here https://meatsheetfanzine.com/andy-bell-single-oasis-ride/ and here https://meatsheetfanzine.com/andy-bell-the-view-from-halfway-down-sonic-cathedral/
But now, it seems it is Mr Queralt’s turn to share some solo creative energy with the world.
At this time, it seems to be much in need. Music can heal. Here is the way I prefer to support most music artists so check out Swallow LP here https://stevequeralt.bandcamp.com/album/swallow or your favorite place to acquire music.

First song up is Mission Creep. This song feels like a set up for the mood of the album. Mysterious in spirit and laden with spoken words. Also featuring a low end synth rumble that swells as it hums along. The hum phasing in from said rumble to jagged saw like chord. Shortly after, softer treble – ful synth enters and Mission Creep opens to a new floaty feeling . I’m not sure what the goal is for this song but it fits the album nicely. If it fits wear it.
Second is Lonely Town featuring Emma Anderson of Lush. This feels like a full on Lush track . Even without Emma’s voice the arrangement reminds me of Split, Gala, and Spooky era Lush sounds. If you don’t know those releases this is a great chance to look them up.
Lonely Town is cracking along but the ending is of equal , if not heavier weight.
It shimmers and trails off with strands of reverb washes then holds a monotone hum before fizzling out.
Needless to say I was taken back and surprised at the compositional chances on Lonely Town. A compelling and clever way to get to the next track which may be my favorite. Video embed right below.
Next High Teens and A Porsche Shaped Hole are two different tracks but with similar delivery. Likewise, they are equivalent to hauling weight up hill gradually. Building sonic kinetic energy. That is to say , until the peak. When at the “top” you release the weight and the sound waves crash down with satisfying intensity. Cinematic, triumphant, and emotive is an understatement. Where has this guy been hiding all this time ?!?
Additionally a clock ticking sound in High Teens adds an extra layer of depth and tension throughout the mix. Fucking love it for so many reasons. Let me dazzle or bore you further.
On top of the rhythmic ticking there is a counter rhythmic synth oscillation and another thematic melody. This is important to me. Hopefully you can hear how crucial this song is as well.
The genius of Queralt shines on High Teens. Multiple layers happening at once, weaving together, all telling a sonic story.
Curiously, the ongoing tick begins to sound like a percussive shaker instrument as the other instruments drop out and you are left with cymbals fading and the shaker like tick. Listen and it will make better sense. My words fall short.
Similarly in effect, A Porsche Shaped Hole offers gradual crescendo with an air of bittersweet sorrow. But when that crescendo hits, its satisfying and ironically heavy. If other genres / musicians, (including me) could write these dynamic changes I’d be far more full of excitement about current music.
Next Emma Anderson lends more vocals to Swiss Air. This track is exactly what modern Lush and Ride sound like if I imagine it. Warbling, shimmery sounds that may be guitar / synth or both. Of course Emma’s vocals accentuate the total mix. Her vocals are in top form, painting the ethereal pictures that only she can create through her unique stylings.
Hazy, yet chiming synth with a cutting thumping rhythm section.
Overall this song is shoegaze with notes of new wave echoes permeating throughout the layers. Ride and Lush fans will dance in celebration around this bonfire of music on Swiss Air and I thank you for flying with me.

I Don’t Know How To Sing enters the arena with choral blended trebles. Merging with tremolo and building into a wide open field of sound. Accentuated by Queralt’s bass lines which eventually drop out .
Messengers features Verity Susman. The placement of Verity’s vocals will rescue the listeners who are not partial to instrumental songs. On top of her voice , between musical rests , searing guitars strum in. Its like dream pop thunder. Impactful and going back and forth between woozy and wide awake flurries.
1988 starts as a gentle, somewhat quiet, soother and then shifts. It opens up, yet again, hitting with driving sonic force. The similar energy of High Teens when it kicks in. Perhaps a distant cousin or relation between both songs? 1988 returns back to its soothing state as it wraps. One can learn a bit about general composition if you study these patterns Queralt is laying out for you.
Rounding out the new Swallow LP is Motor Boats. The first two thirds of song offer ominous, tension like drones with more spoken word . Once again giving way to an opening soundscape that differs from the two thirds. Compositional proportions balance Motor Boats. The striking thing is Motor Boats leaves me wanting more. I don’t consider this to be a bad thing, after all the scope of the entire LP is a vast, expanse of diverse sounds.
In conclusion, the new Swallow LP is billed as dark, brooding. I’m not hearing that as much as I hear despair that transmutes into hope.
Although there are dark moments, like a storm brewing with turbulent clouds, Queralt manages to open the skies and the musical light floods in.
Finally to any readers, bands, PR people that may see this, I cannot accept music for review at this time. It’s a boring and personal matter and hopefully the blog can remain somewhat personal and not boring. However thank you, Steve and Sonic Cathedral for this release. Important listening for sure.