The Ruse
(ALBUM 2025)

Listen to the album on Youtube HERE

Listen to The Ruse - The Synthwave Mixes on Youtube HERE

All lyrics by ©MinX 2025

 THE RUSE 

1. Here And There
2. Talk The Talk
3. Pick Your Poison
4. A Clever Ruse
5. Firesale Of Feelings
6. Knock Knock
7. A Dizzy Mess
8. Red Ink
9. Not A Clue
10. Tell Me
11. The Magic Hour


HERE AND THERE

Infatuation and vanity
Welcome back to reality
Didn't see clearly
Nearly cost me dearly

Your touch drove me crazy
Savage and curious
The memories are hazy
Now I'm absolutely furious

Whatcha doing
I'm here
Where are you going
I'm there
Whatcha thinking
I'm everywhere
Look at me 
I'm here and there
Oh, I'm here and there

Straight in from the heat
Wasn't ready for defeat
Your voice on the line 
Imagined you mine

I'm across the border
Had to leave
Plotting around the corner
You're such a thief

Whatcha doing
I'm here
Where are you going
I'm there
Whatcha thinking
I'm everywhere
Look at me
I'm here and there
Oh I,'m here and there

What was going to happen
What did I think
Between our hearts
There's no link

We were playing 
Two different games
For a futile minute thought
We are twin flames

Whatcha doing
I'm here
Where are you going
I'm there
Whatcha thinking
I'm everywhere
Look at me
I'm here and there
Oh, I'm here and there

Whatcha doing
I'm here
Where are you going
I'm there
Whatcha thinking
I'm everywhere
Look at me 
I'm here and there 
Oh, I'm here and there


TALK THE TALK 

With you I hit a wall
Wasn't ready for the fall
Now the memories scream
Told me you’d redeem

You painted it perfect
But all the colours ran
Nothing left in my hand
No, it didn't go to plan

You sure talk the talk
But do you walk the walk
Show me what you've got 
Let's see your best shot
Oh, you're talking the talk
Ran away with my heart
I'm still in the dark 
Yeah, I'm still in the dark 

I'll rise from the ashes
If you'll take a chance 
Before the whole thing crashes
Please break this trance 

Take a step and prove
The things you said
It was a fallout move 
I bled in all the shades of red

You sure talk the talk
But do you walk the walk
Show me what you've got 
Let's see your best shot
Oh, you're talking the talk
Ran away with my heart
I'm still in the dark
Yeah, I'm still in the dark 

The memories scream
Told me you’d redeem
All the colours ran
Nothing left in my hand

With you I hit a wall
Wasn't ready for the fall
Take a chance
Please break this trance

You sure talk the talk
But do you walk the walk
Show me what you've got 
Let's see your best shot
Oh, you're talking the talk
Ran away with my heart
I'm still in the dark
Yeah, I'm still in the dark 

You sure talk the talk
But do you walk the walk
Show me what you've got 
Let's see your best shot
Oh, you're talking the talk
Ran away with my heart
I'm still in the dark
Yeah, I'm still in the dark


PICK YOUR POISON

Light the fire
But can't see within
In this battle of wills
Caught in a tailspin

Deep within the excuses
Where the shadows belong
Let the darkness guide
Feel the pressure rise

Pick your poison
The last one standing
Nobody's coming
To save you
Look at the clues
Nothing is true
Nobody's coming
What else is new 

Who's the winner
Move over beginners
Listening to my demons
Guessing the reasons

You can't afford
To play this game
Let the cards unfold
Drown in shame

Pick your poison
The last one standing
Nobody's coming
To save you
Look at the clues
Nothing is true
Nobody's coming
What else is new 

It's a battle of wills
An endless tailspin
The darkness guides
Feel the pressure rise

Trusting my demons
Now I know the reasons
Played my last hand
Exactly as I planned

Pick your poison
The last one standing
Nobody's coming
To save you
Look at the clues
Nothing is true
Nobody's coming
What else is new 

Pick your poison
The last one standing
Nobody's coming
To save you
Look at the clues
Nothing is true
Nobody's coming
What else is new


A CLEVER RUSE 

It's hitting the nerve
Right behind the eye
Dig in deep 
Nothing left in reserve 

Who's bed are your shoes under
In the night like a hunter
If you get in my way
I'll just go around ya 

You came empty handed
Took off with my heart
Nothing left here to steal
It was such a clever ruse from the start 
Oh, it was a clever ruse

Blow the old myths 
Out of the water
Round the corner
Like a silent watcher

Finally breathe freely
Dawn is almost here
A gaze so steely
Don't come near

You came empty handed
Took off with my heart
Nothing left here to steal
It was such a clever ruse from the start 
Oh, it was a clever ruse

It's hitting the nerve
Right behind the eye
Come in from the cold 
Trying to pry like a spy 

Move in the night
Like a hunter
It's not gonna work
Is it any wonder

You came empty handed
Took off with my heart
Nothing left here to steal
It was such a clever ruse from the start 
Oh, it was a clever ruse

You came empty handed
Took off with my heart
Nothing left here to steal
It was such a clever ruse from the start 
Oh, it was a clever ruse


FIRESALE OF FEELINGS

Lost my way
It's been many moons
There was no way to stay
Stopped dancing to your tune

Didn't want any of it
In the first place
But come on, spill the dirt
Am I still in the race 

It's a firesale 
Of feelings
Don't want them anymore
I'm selling
Are you buying

It's a firesale 
Of feelings
Are you gonna buy buy buy 
Buy buy buy 

I’m trying to let go 
Of what I wanted most
The clock keeps ticking
But it's too soon to raise a toast

Oh, my heart!
Why don't you take another slice
Sail into the sunset
Colder than ice 

It's a firesale 
Of feelings
Don't want them anymore
I'm selling
Are you buying

It's a firesale 
of feelings
Are you gonna buy buy buy 
Buy buy buy

It's been many moons
Stopped dancing to your tune
But come on
Show me the ace
Am I still in the race 

Lost my way
There was no way to stay
It's what I wanted most
But don't be raising any toasts

It's a firesale
Of feelings
Don't want them anymore
I'm selling
Are you buying

It's a firesale 
of feelings
It's a firesale 
Of feelings
Don't want them anymore
I'm selling
Are you buying

It's firesale 
Of feelings
Are you gonna buy buy buy
Are you gonna buy buy buy


KNOCK KNOCK 

Deep undercover
Click of the shutter
Who can you trust
Blow away the rust

Hide in the dark
Take your time
Who's the mark
Turn on a dime

Everything has a price
Turn left or right
Add a bit of spice
Out of sight
What are you hiding
Everything is just a loan

Knock knock knock
You off your throne
Knock knock knock 
Off your throne

It's a dismal story
As old as the sky
It's getting stormy
Should I ask why

Can I come in
I'm getting weary
Thought I was going to win
But didn't see clearly

Everything has a price
Turn left or right
Add a bit of spice
Out of sight
What are you hiding
Everything is just a loan

Knock knock knock
You off your throne
Knock knock knock 
Off your throne
Knock knock knock 
Off your throne

Who can you trust
Blow away the rust
It's a dismal story
Not going to end in glory

Hide in the dark
Who's the mark
Thought I was going to win
I'd like to come in 

Everything has a price
Turn left or right
Add a bit of spice
Out of sight
What are you hiding
Everything is just a loan

Knock knock knock
You off your throne
Knock knock knock 

Everything has a price
Turn left or right
Add a bit of spice
Out of sight
What are you hiding
Everything is just a loan

Knock knock knock
You off your throne
Knock knock knock 
Off your throne
Knock knock 
Knock Knock


A DIZZY MESS 

Hey, could we start over?
Yeah, I know already ruined it
This one's gonna 
Be burned into my memory

The past, present and the future
Stake your claim
Friends in low places
Won't take the blame

Eyes on the prize
Or cut and run
Too late for the party
Just wanted some fun

First it was a no
And then it was a yes
What a dizzy mess
Oh, it's such a dizzy mess

Well, of course it was
Too good to be true
It was obvious to everyone but me
Didn't have a clue

I've lived and learned
But it seems not enough
Wanted it to work so bad
But oh boy, it was rough

Eyes on the prize
Or cut and run
Too late for the party
Just wanted some fun

First it was a no
And then it was a yes
What a dizzy mess
Oh, it's such a dizzy mess

Hey, could we start over?
Do you feel any rue
It was the heat of the moment
Right on cue

Friends in low places
Back in the game
I'm gonna wipe all traces
Even if you take the blame

Eyes on the prize
Or cut and run
Too late for the party
Just wanted some fun

First it was a no
And then it was a yes
What a dizzy mess
Oh, it's such a dizzy mess

Eyes on the prize
Or cut and run
Too late for the party
Just wanted some fun

First it was a no
And then it was a yes
What a dizzy mess
Oh, it's such a dizzy mess 
Yeah, it's such a dizzy mess


RED INK

I've forgiven it all
Too many times
Heard enough of
Your sparkling lines 

Now there's a storm inside
Raging night and day
Don't try to hide
I'm headed your way

The truth is a dagger
Hidden deep in your smile
Twist it deeper
Crawl the last mile
What's the view like
At the bottom of the drink
The future's written in red ink

The weight of your mistakes
I'm hitting the brakes 
Not turning a blind eye
You've bled me dry

This heart's a phoenix
Ashes to fire
I found my voice
When it was down to the wire

The truth is a dagger
Hidden deep in your smile
Twist it deeper
Crawl the last mile
What's the view like
At the bottom of the drink
The future's written in red ink

There's a storm inside
Raging night and day
I've heard enough 
It's time to have my say 

Don't try to hide
I'm headed your way
The weight of your mistakes
I'm hitting the brakes 

The truth is a dagger
Hidden deep in your smile
Twist it deeper
Crawl the last mile
What's the view like
At the bottom of the drink
The future's written in red ink

The truth is a dagger
Hidden deep in your smile
Twist it deeper
Crawl the last mile
What's the view like
At the bottom of the drink
The future's written in red ink


NOT A CLUE

You drew first blood
Didn't even notice
Run away, it's a flashflood
I'm looking for justice 

Trying all the doors
But they're locked
Defying all the laws
Don't pretend to be shocked

Who's fooling who
Masks and disguises
Not a clue

Who's fooling who
Full of surprises
Not a clue 
Who's fooling who
Not a clue 

Thieves of twilight
A handful of guilt
Running a fever
Tear down everything you built

It began with trust
Scars into wisdom
Do as one must
I lost my whole kingdom

Who's fooling who
Masks and disguises
Not a clue

Who's fooling who
Full of surprises
Not a clue 
Who's fooling who
Not a clue 

You drew first blood
Now there's a flashflood
Trying all the doors
Still defying the laws

Tear down 
Everything you built
Scars into wisdom
Don't feel guilt

Who's fooling who
Masks and disguises
Not a clue

Who's fooling who
Full of surprises
Not a clue 
Who's fooling who
Not a clue 

Who's fooling who
Masks and disguises
Not a clue

Who's fooling who
Full of surprises
Not a clue 
Who's fooling who
Not a clue


TELL ME 

Let go of the past
Observations late at night
While it lasted it was a blast
Now I want you out of my sight

You think you're so notorious
Oh, no, don't you dare
After all this am I victorious
You're not being fair

Tell me
Before I find out
Tell me
Stacks of doubt
Tell me
Before we shout
Tell me
Right now

Digging for answers
While you talk nonsense
Pictures hang full of game
There’s a crack in every frame

Caught in a blinding web
Of secrets spun
Sugarcoated promises broken
Now I'm on the run

Weight of the world
Go back to the start
Is love just a feather
Or is it stitched to your heart

Tell me
Before I find out
Tell me
Stacks of doubt
Tell me
Before we shout
Tell me
Right now

Let go of the past
Observations late at night
After all this am I victorious
You're not being fair

Digging for answers
While you talk nonsense
While it lasted it was a blast
Now I want you out of my sight

Tell me
Before I find out
Tell me
Stacks of doubt
Tell me
Before we shout
Tell me
Right now

Tell me
Before I find out
Tell me
Stacks of doubt
Tell me
Before we shout
Tell me
Right now 

THE MAGIC HOUR 

Shadows creeping up the walls
They twist and hum
Thoughts like icepicks
Where do they come

Counting the endless stars
But they won't tire
Every second that slowly passes
It gets more dire

It's the magic hour
Nobody's going to knock
It's the magic hour
Don't look at the clock
It's the magic hour
The hallucinations gain power
Come down from your high tower
It's the magic hour

The force of my mistake
I had it all and threw it away
A moment of weakness
Then there was nothing to say

Is it better
To have loved and lost
I'm not so sure
I never realised the cost

It's the magic hour
Nobody's going to knock
It's the magic hour
Don't look at the clock
It's the magic hour
The hallucinations gain power
Come down from your high tower
It's the magic hour

Thoughts like icepicks
My heart's on fire
Every second that passes
Tangled in a wire

Loved and lost
Now I know the cost
I had it all and threw it away
There's nothing left to say

It's the magic hour
Nobody's going to knock
It's the magic hour
Don't look at the clock
It's the magic hour
The hallucinations gain power
Come down from your high tower
It's the magic hour

It's the magic hour
Nobody's going to knock
It's the magic hour
Don't look at the clock
It's the magic hour
The hallucinations gain power
Come down from your high tower
It's the magic hour