Review by Phil Rozier for MPM
Friday morning and I’ve got a spring in my step, as the universe has dropped me a little present today. Ghost have always been known for how to turn a release day into an event, and today’s standalone drop of It’s a Sin is no exception. Hot on the heels of yesterday’s theatrically cryptic “chapter 24” video, posted across the band’s socials in that unmistakable Ghost narrative style, the track finally steps out of the shadows as its own single. Long time fans will remember it first appeared years ago as part of the Prequelle album release, in 2018. Originally tucked at the back of the record, now, after simmering in the vaults and live set wish lists, it’s been given its own spotlight. Praise the house of Ghost!
Ghost’s Theatre of the Macabre (and the Fabulous)
Trying to explain Ghost to the uninitiated is like trying to describe a séance conducted by ABBA and Black Sabbath in a velvet draped cathedral. Their self-styled “horror pop rock” has taken them from cult curiosity to global arena dominators, selling out tours with a blend of camp, menace, and immaculate songwriting. It’s theatre, it’s ritual, it’s rock ’n’ roll with a sly grin and a raised eyebrow.
So covering an ’80s synthpop classic like the Pet Shop Boys’ It’s a Sin isn’t just on brand, it’s destiny. Ghost have always thrived on the tension between the sacred and the profane, the dramatic and the tongue in cheek. This song is a playground built for them.
A Match Made in Heaven… or Hell
The new single bursts out with that unmistakable Ghost sheen. Palm muted crunch from the Nameless Ghouls, giving the track a muscular spine. A shimmering layer of echo that adds just enough cathedral sized drama. Papa’s vocals, or the Cardinals’, depending on which corner of the fandom you ask is delivered with that Swedish meets American theatrical drawl that has become one of modern rock’s most recognisable signatures.
The result is a version that’s punchy, poppy, punky, and gloriously over the top. It’s everything a cover should be. Not rewritten. Not “made their own” – a phrase I’ve always loathed. You can’t “make your own” something that already belongs to someone else. What you can do is reinterpret it with style, swagger, and a fresh coat of audible paint. And Ghost do exactly that, adding a louder, more haunting edge without losing the melodic melancholy that made the original so iconic.
Ghost has tipped their mitre to the past. The track has aged beautifully since its first appearance, and hearing it now, overdriven, pushed forward, and given its own moment reminds you just how well Ghost understand the art of the cover. They don’t parody or mimic, they simply amplify what was already there.
And if the rumblings around the Ghost camp are to be believed, It’s a Sin is just the opening act for what could be a monumental 2026. Whispers of new chapters, fresh incarnations, expanded lore, and even early talk of another global tour are already circulating among the faithful. Whether it’s a new Papa, a new album cycle, or another round of cinematic storytelling, one thing is certain: Ghost aren’t slowing down. They’re tightening their grip on the poprock throne one theatrical step at a time.
Watch the lyric video and listen now on all platforms: https://i.ghost-official.com/itsasin
Skeletá out now: https://i.ghost-official.com/Skeleta/
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