Dea Matrona which translates to Divine Mother Goddess originates from Celtic mythology and is the name of the Irish rock band based in Belfast led by Mollie McGinn and Orláith Forsythe. The band release their second album ‘Hate That I Care’ which leans further into alt-rock and showcases a sharper, more confident sound while diving deeper into themes of identity, pressure, and self-reflection.
The album opens with title track ‘Hate That I Care’ a melodic pop rock offering about caring for somebody and really loathing the fact that you do. There`s a brief guitar solo after the midpoint before some manic drumming leads us out. I read that `My Own Party` is about toxic relationships where no matter what you do, there’ll always be a part of you they can’t accept and how consuming alcohol can be a coping mechanism in these situations. There`s a rhythmic beat to this number where the vocals seem fairly detached or disconnected above a rolling tempo with some sweet harmonies towards the end .
`A Rebel Song` has a political tinge but doesn`t actually refer to any particular events during this contemplative composition which seem to advocate gun control and regulation in a fairly subtle way. There`s a kind of goth like shimmer to `Aisling` which seems to hint at somebody taking their own life but maybe that`s just what I read into it.
`John Doe` is the standard name used to refer to a hypothetical average person, an anonymous individual and this number seems to express the feeling of ambiguity and mystery with its enticing but dangerous texture. I felt there was a similar aura to `Wait` musically with lyrics that seem to encourage self-discovery or exploration.
`Magic Spell` is a number about a femme fatele with an enticing almost hypnotic drum led incantation while `Summer Rain` is an alluring slow burn that hints at what one had but lost and maybe now regrets the loss.
`Siren Song` is a dreamy contemplative slow burn whereas the final cut `Told U I`m Strange` is fairly illusory and dreamlike.
`Hate That I Care` is a fairly varied listen and offers up some tracks that have a more melodic texture along with slow burns, hypnotic alluring compositions, and heavier rock outs. An album that i`m sure will have a wide appeal. The band have graced the Reading & Leeds Festivals, Electric Picnic and Rock Werchter, and have toured with Canadian rockers The Beaches. They head out with Sting on tour across Europe along with an appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival so the future is quite bright.
Rating 8/10
