Review

By Amanda Holborn | 12/06/2026

Few bands have earned their stripes quite like Dea Matrona. Having graduated from busking on the streets of Belfast to sharing stages with artists as esteemed as Sting, Mollie McGinn and Orláith Forsythe have spent the past decade building their reputation the hard way. With Hate That I Care, their second album, the Northern Irish duo prove that their ascent is no fluke. Written, recorded and produced entirely by the band themselves while on the road, Hate That I Care finds Dea Matrona confidently sidestepping any notion of second-album syndrome. If 2024’s For Your Sins was an exhilarating showcase of influences and ambition, its successor feels more focused, cohesive and self-assured. The classic rock foundations remain intact, but the pair broaden their palette with touches of goth, grunge, Americana and ’90s alternative rock, resulting in a richer and more distinctive sound. The title track immediately sets the tone. Built around themes of anxiety, guilt and emotional dependency, it combines soaring harmonies with dark, jagged guitar work that recalls the drama of Siouxsie and the Banshees while retaining the melodic instincts that have always underpinned Dea Matrona’s songwriting. It’s a statement of intent from a band unafraid to venture into darker territory. That willingness to explore pays dividends throughout the record. The cinematic ‘A Rebel Song’ stands as one of the duo’s most ambitious compositions to date. Beginning with a dusty Western flavour before opening into a stirring reflection on conflict, identity and Ireland itself, it demonstrates a growing confidence both musically and lyrically. Elsewhere, ‘Aisling’ is a standout moment, driven by lush vocal harmonies and a rumbling bassline that evokes the gothic grandeur of late-’80s alternative rock. Perhaps the album’s most immediately affecting track is ‘Summer Rain’. Its shimmering piano lines and bittersweet guitar melodies provide the backdrop to a tale of heartbreak and lingering hope, with the song’s unresolved fade-out serving as a poignant reflection of its emotional themes. What makes Hate That I Care so compelling is its sense of individuality. Each track possesses its own character, whether powerful, seductive, vulnerable or defiant. The album may sacrifice some of the instant punch of its predecessor, but it rewards repeated listens with greater depth and emotional resonance. Dea Matrona are no longer a promising young band. On Hate That I Care, they sound like artists growing into exactly who they were meant to be.