Dea Matrona - Hate That I Care

The Irish rock duo released their sophomore album, Hate That I Care, on June 5th. Containing a mix of personal and political themes, they dive deeper into topics of identity, self-reflection, and pressure. Mollie McGinn shares that the album feels more like themselves as a band and the state of the world around them. 

The title track “Hate That I Care” describes the outsider feeling and imposter syndrome, exploring from an Irish perspective about female empowerment and identity. “My Own Party” takes a dive into self-reflection and the desire to stop getting dragged down by others. “A Rebel Song” is politically charged, reflecting on times of war and gives a country-folk feel with acoustic guitars. “Aisling” is a personal track that focuses on self-vulnerability. The song questions if we can break the silence if the voices in your head keep speaking. “John Doe” has dark and haunting lyrics, despite the upbeat tempo. “Magic Spell” has a catchy guitar riff and is another standout. “Summer Rain” has a slower, emotional vibe and is another personal track on the album. It showcases vulnerability and the inability to get over someone they lost and regretting it. The closer, “Told U I’m Strange” has a more atmospheric vibe with an easy flowing drum beat. The lyric delivery is tempting to sing along to and an anthem. This album feels direct and confident while reflecting on personal themes and inner conflicts. It is definitely worth a listen for alt-rock fans.