Returning three years after his last album, singer-songwriter Ryan Beatty released his new single, "Secret Language" on June 5th 2026, paired with an official music video in anticipation for his fourth album “Sweet Fortune” that is set to drop on June 26th.

This lead single for this album is sweet in itself, opening with a country twang and a confession intertwined into the song's lyrics. Beatty is no stranger to brilliant lyricism, with the single unfolding the inability to confess one's love through words and yet still hoping they will be able to hear it and feel it through touch. 

The start of a song is self deprecating, claiming to be a mess, fragile, weak, tired, and more. The lack of confidence and security makes vulnerability difficult, with the end of the first verse, saying “If only I could exist without it leaving my lips / And my touch was enough to confess”. Hoping that the small actions and moments of physical intimacy can speak for him when words fail.

The song continues to convey this idea until building into the final chorus where Beatty alters it from the previous two- to flat out confess that's what this “secret language” is meant to convey. He sings “All the ways I say it in a secret language / Did you hear what my words couldn't tell? /  I love you, I say it in a secret language.”

As someone who was brand new to Beatty's music I was thoroughly impressed, though not surprised after seeing his previous work includes co-writing on Beyoncé's 2024 album of the year “COWBOY CARTER”. His style reminded me of Role Model’s 2024 album, “Kansas Anymore”, specifically with the easygoing vocals and use of the guitar. However, Beatty stands out with his use of production and perspective, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of his new album will have in store.

As previously mentioned, the song is paired with a music video, directed by Rhys Scarabosio. The visual begins with his throwing a paper airplane against a bright blue sky, then follows Beatty running seemingly across the world, starting near the Hollywood sign and across the Hollywood Walk of Fame in California. Then moving to the flashing lights of Las Vegas, into fields, and neighborhood streets, and gravel roads, and even scaring off pigeons on the bustling streets of New York. The video concludes with him catching a plane and watching the sunset over the city skyline, fiddling with the paper in his hands. The use of quick cuts and color grading gives the video the same sweeping and all encompassing feelings that are featured in the song, adding more to the songs depth.

Beatty has previously had a notable stand-alone career, with his three previous albums, “Boy in Jeans” (2018), “Dreaming of David” (2020), and “Calico” (2023), building to his over 700,000 monthly listeners before his hiatus. Top hits of his include “Bruises Off The Peach”, "Ribbons," and "Haircut."

He has also announced his “ARMS OVER ARMOR” tour which is set to begin September 9th and will run through November 7th across North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom.