Single Review: Telling Secrets - Secret Lies

Initially created to be an escape from lockdown depression, Telling Secrets is a brand new project formed by talented musicians. Vik Kovacs founded the band last year, saying that he wanted to “inspire a community of people disorientated by modernity”.

At the start of the track, mellow guitar strums fade in, followed by expressive vocals. There is an insistence and impatience in this opening, with motor-rhythms driving the music onwards. When the drums enter heavily with an aggressive fill, the vocals become more harsh and gritty. One of the most striking and impressive aspects of this song is the band’s use of rhythm. In the pre-chorus, the rhythms of the guitar, bass, and drum lines are quite frantic, whereas the vocals sail over the top with long, sustained notes that contrast beautifully.

The chorus is very climactic: the pace of the song quickens through rhythmic diminution in both the drum and vocal lines, the vocals are in a much higher register, and the general volume of the track is at a peak. The melodic line here is passionate and memorable, and demonstrates the extent of the lead singer’s vocal range. A short contrasting section with a thinner texture separates the two choruses.

It then builds from here with unison stabs in the drums and guitar that repeat, adding a sense of agitation. When the chorus returns it has even more impact and feels even more climactic. After the syncopated motif that ends the chorus, there is a small section which is very on-the-beat and driving. From here each layer drops out after the other, leaving a single distorted guitar note to end the song.

In the midst of lockdowns and closures, songs like this provide an element of optimism to our lives. Telling Secrets really have achieved their goal of creating liberation from the current restraints we are living under through their new single ‘Secret Lies’. A pulsing and liberating track from this exciting new band.

Words: Alice Hill