Secret Garden is Zoee’s third single of 2026. With each song she has been transitioning a little further away from 2025’s fun and poppy Butterfly Effect. Every time that little butterfly flutters its wings, she changes. Both Hand Me Downs and Don’t Let Me Go were still unequivocally country radio records. But just as I started thinking Zoee was an out and out pop-country queen, she releases this one.
In Secret Garden, we’re in a minor key right from the start. She’s been living with the lights down low, and not for the first time. The singer finds it hard to open up to new relationships and is aware of this trait. If she’s going to let you in, it has to be 100% commitment. It’ll be worth it, but it feels like she holds all the power. The decision is hers alone. Doubts must be left at the door.
In the second half of the song there are clear dance-floor vibes. It calls to mind the best ‘90s dance and rave bangers. Slow dancing, yes, but there is a definite dance groove. For fans of Dancing with the Stars it is also giving Argentine Tango. Or the Paso Doble, with the woman as the cape. But in Zoee’s version she is the matador, barefoot. Zoee has said the following about Secret Garden:-
"Secret Garden is about trusting someone enough to hand them the key. It's sensual and vulnerable. We all have parts of ourselves we keep hidden, but the song is about that magical moment when you finally let somebody in."
I really enjoyed Butterfly Efffect last summer. It was the record I turned to when in need of cheering up. Even True Crime was sort of funny. The first three singles of 2026 have all been a little sadder, more reflective, sometimes nostalgic. Some might say these songs cover more adult themes, that they’re more grown-up somehow. But surely adults don’t have to be sad every day?
You can pre-save all of Zoee’s music here and follow the rest of her journey.
Zoee: Don't Let Me Go
The first time I heard Zoee’s music was a year ago when she was heading towards the release of her debut album, The Butterfly Effect. I loved every one of those ten songs and one of the key themes was her positive outlook even when life throws curve balls. Even in her murder ballad,
Zoee Did it Again with Hand Me Downs!
I even find the cover artwork heartbreaking this week. Here’s a fully grown woman on the outside, but she is pictured in her nursery with a basket of teddies, children’s books and her name on the wall. At first glance it looks like the table is set for a formal English tea but on second glance… the table is in miniature. A child has been playing at tea …
Thank you for this lovely review Paul! 😍