Longing tears at our hearts. There has been a memetic propulsion around the concept of yearning over the last year, but to yearn doesn’t feel as powerful as longing, to me. Sure, you could argue that they are synonymous, but I feel like one yearns for a concept. ‘I yearn to be loved,’ for example. Longing feels more specific. ‘I have spent eons longing for your touch,’ you might say, if you were like, Dracula. Regardless, themes of yearning and/or longing are never far away from goth groups, whether the sweat glistening skin of cold wave or EBM or the dour, atmospheric gloom of post-punk, goth kids will find a way to long for something. That frigid feeling of isolation is part and parcel to the motif of goth culture, and today we get to witness a new voice in longing and romantically grim aesthetics from newcomers The Secrecy. Check out their latest video “SKY” from their forthcoming debut LP, Pins & Needles.
Opening with a melancholy guitar and synth lead before drums and morose goth-guitars drop in, “SKY” wastes no time establishing a cinematic atmosphere. ‘There’s no certainty/but one thing is certain/we’re both under the same sky,’ sings Dustin Boltjes as the chorus crescendos. This track carries a heaviness that isn’t far from the kind of goth doom Type O Negative gave us despite being a slower ballad. The heft of the guitars, bass, drums, and synths deepen the emotional impact of the lyrics of longing for an estranged love. Rain drops beading on a lonely rose, the blurred vision of passing traffic behind a chain link fence, haunted cathedrals, and more metaphors for loneliness adorn the video appropriately, matching the themes of the song in an eerie montage fitting for a mortuary.
The Secrecy is a new act from Indianapolis, but its members have a long history in the underground music scene of the Midwest including alumni from bands like Flesher, Chrome Waves, and Bringers of Disease. This new project stands out in its approach, at once familiar to fans of goth rock and post-punk as well as embracing a denser feeling of atmosphere than classic acts leaving the listener in a shadowed haze that only the brightest of moonlight could penetrate. “SKY” follows The Secrecy‘s first single for Pins & Needles, “Dancing In The Fire”, a more upbeat goth affair that recalls Sisters Of Mercy while maintaining the band’s soaring choruses.
Vocalist Dustin Boltjes had the following to say about the track:
‘The tone of this song feels dark and ominous, but it’s actually a song of hope. Inspired by my grandfather’s stories of war. I wanted to write a narrative about being scared, and alone, but knowing that even though you may be thousands of miles apart from your loved ones, there’s comfort in knowing that no matter the distance, you can look up at the sky, and know that someone you love is also looking up at that same sky.’
The Secrecy will be releasing Pins & Needles on July 17th, 2026 via Disorder Recordings. Until that day comes, I’ll be longing for the album. You can pre-order the album here, and be sure to follow The Secrecy on Facebook and Instagram!
