To shake up the lockdown monotony you should take a listen to Dissolve (buy/stream), the brand-new single and stunning accompanying music video from Asheville’s dark post-punk/goth breakouts, Secret Shame. Fresh off releasing 2019’s remarkable, critically-acclaimed debut album ‘Dark Synthetics‘ that wound up topping a slew of year-end lists (including our’s), the inclusive LGBTQIA+ band has been hard at work writing and recording ever since. Check out the Dissolve video clip via YouTube below.
Nailing Secret Shame’s aesthetic all around, the gorgeous video for Dissolve stars the band and was directed by their compelling frontwoman/visual artist Lena Machina, with cinematography and editing help from Rory Rumfelt. About the song, Lena said, “A cathartic break from a bad situation, but a gateway to something still destructive. What are the benefits of nobody knowing what’s on your mind? What are the drawbacks?”
On “Dissolve,” Secret Shame has reached into unknown territory and grabbed hold of new sounds while still managing to evoke the same feelings of previous releases. Lena’s (she/her) vocals, which have the ability to expand from manic and feverish to soft and soothing, harmonize and twist around the instruments. Underneath the pretty facade lies self-destructive lyrical content, instruments that bite each other, and hard emotions that don’t ever fade.
Secret Shame has also announced the release of a new 7” that will be out on June 5th and includes the new single along with its B-side, Pure (Bandcamp pre-order).
Secret Shame has never held back from difficult topics or societal downfalls, and this is just as relevant on their new single as it is on their debut album (which the band just released on vinyl for the first time at the end of March, along w/ an accompanying ‘Dark Synthetics‘ remix EP). Billie (she/they) creates sparkling guitar melodies that ebb and flow, sometimes lying beneath Matthew’s (he/him) skillfully eccentric basslines, and at other times breaking through the thick fog of reverb. The rhythm between the bass and drums is driving, often in unison, but at times more of a conversation as Nathan’s (he/him) drumming not only lays the foundation, but establishes layers of its own. Shiny synth melodies dance through the tracks and Lena spits out metaphorical lyrics about mental illness and manipulation. Secret Shame may nod to 80’s post-punk and new wave, but the sound they’ve created is distinctly their own.
‘Dark Synthetics‘ came out digitally in September 2019 through Portrayal of Guilt’s imprint, and wound up coming in at #77 on Bandcamp’s 100 Best Albums of 2019, along with being ranked post-punk.com’s #1 Album of 2019 and #43 on their Best Albums of the Decade list, among many others. While touring is obviously on hiatus for everyone at the moment (they’ve had to cancel two tours already), the band is continuing to create remotely and put in work with their respective communities in Asheville.
