Following their critically acclaimed debut single Winter, RYDE return with Stop the Wheel, a hauntingly cinematic exploration of modern isolation and emotional turbulence. The duo—Arran Glass (Apple of My Eye) and Brontë Shandë (currently touring Europe as lead vocalist with the Amy Winehouse Band)—continue to craft music that resonates in the quiet, introspective hours, blending fragility with cinematic intensity.
Stop the Wheel opens with the duo’s trademark close harmonies, delicate and intimate, evoking a sense of deceptive calm. The lyrical content immediately confronts the paralysis of contemporary life—the helplessness felt while witnessing global disasters from afar, the overwhelming weight of uncertainty and disconnection. This thematic core is rendered with raw honesty, balancing vulnerability and quiet defiance.
As the track progresses, the emotional restraint of the introduction gives way to a powerful chorus driven by anarchic passion. The frenetic drumming of Pete Flood (Bellowhead) injects the song with breakbeat energy and subtle drum and bass influences, mirroring the emotional unrest conveyed by the lyrics. This rhythmic dynamism anchors the song, offering both tension and release while maintaining a delicate balance with the vocal interplay between Glass and Shandë.
The song’s climax is further elevated by sweeping orchestral strings, transforming the track into something both grand and intimate. The strings provide a cinematic breadth, expanding the soundscape while never overshadowing the core emotional narrative. The juxtaposition of raw energy and orchestral sophistication reflects RYDE’s evolving sound: music that is both immediate and meticulously crafted.
Glass and Shandë’s collaborative chemistry is central to the track’s impact. Their harmonies, grounded in vulnerability and emotional clarity, guide listeners through the song’s peaks and valleys. Meanwhile, the production showcases their ability to merge indie sensibilities with orchestral textures, creating a sound that is uniquely RYDE: dark, introspective, yet ultimately uplifting.
Stop the Wheel positions RYDE as a band capable of turning introspection into an immersive auditory experience. Like a lifeboat navigating stormy seas, the track offers both catharsis and reflection, embodying themes of love, loss, and mental health with subtle hope threaded throughout. The single confirms the duo’s reputation for crafting music that lingers long after the final note, drawing listeners into a world both fragile and expansive.
For fans of emotionally-driven, cinematic indie music, Stop the Wheel is a compelling statement of intent. RYDE continue to prove that their music belongs to the midnight hours, to moments of introspection, and to anyone seeking connection in a world that often feels overwhelming. With this release, the Bristol duo solidify their place as one of the UK’s most nuanced and captivating emerging acts.
Connect with RYDE on