It’s the mark of a great song, when it doesn’t just play, but it completely overcomes you. It wraps around you, carrying emotion and digging up memories. This is exactly the feeling that takes hold in Second Choice's latest release, ‘The Haunting’. A dark and profoundly emotive track featuring the captivating vocals of Dimi De San. This is an immersive experience that lingers with you long after it’s sound has faded.

Second Choice, the brainchild of Fredrik Lindström, a seasoned guitarist who cut his teeth in the metal scene of the early ‘90s, started as a side project for musical ideas that didn't quite fit his existing bands. Over time, this creative outlet blossomed into his primary focus, evolving into a unique space for sonic exploration. "My inspiration varies," he shared. "Basically, everything from metal to old horror movie soundtracks and traditional Scandinavian folk music inspires me. For this song, I was going for a dark and melancholic but yet melodic vibe."

Matching this vibe, the track opens with a slow, creeping rhythm, guided gently by atmospheric guitar and slow, ambling synths. There’s a deliberate pacing that draws you in, allowing the composition to unfold at its own pace. What truly makes ‘The Haunting’ stand out is the meticulous attention to detail; every note resonates, and every pause creates a lingering effect. The production is rich with depth, featuring ambient layers that drift like fog and shimmering guitars that weave the sonic tapestry together.

Central to the song's allure, and something of a hallmark in Lindström’s recent releases, is Dimi De San's breathtaking vocal performance. Her voice, soft yet imbued with profound feeling, floats through the arrangement like a haunting memory, bringing the lyrics to life in a ghostly, but almost magical way.

Adding weight to the song, Dimi also wrote the lyrics, creating a haunting world that is both potent and poetic. The opening line, “The tide rolls in like a whispered sin, a funeral hymn in the undertow,” immediately reflects the sombre, evocative tones of the song, perfectly embodying the overall feel of ‘The Haunting’. The sea becomes a powerful metaphor for both desire and grief, reminding us of things wished for but impossible to forget.

‘The Haunting’ is a unique piece that grows beyond the boundaries of a simple single. It’s a musical spell, conjured with chilling beauty, that calls to mind the spectral elegance of gothic horror and the grandeur of a phantom opera. Whether you're drawn to dark ambient soundscapes, neofolk, or cinematic music, ‘The Haunting’ demands your attention.

For more from Second Choice, be sure to follow the project today on YouTube.