Dea Matrona are from Belfast and play a nice mix of indie pop, funk and potential stadium rock – in more than one place they sound like Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks. They may not be about to release the new “Rumours” any time soon but the potential to be an Irish supergroup must be there (Forsythe Mac, given their names).
“Stuck on You” opens, a solid, slightly funky rock tune. A good opener, as it shows off their rock chops and talent for catchiness.
Two tracks further on, “Red Button” is a crowd-pleaser with an almost annoyingly catchy chorus and closing vocals that are the first hint of Ms Nicks.
“Every Night I Want You” changes the tone after a lively opening, and shows they can do pop / RnB / jazz-based pop, of the kind that was popular circa Haircut 100 in about 1982.
“So Damn Dangerous” shows another side of the band, this time to a track worthy of bluesy rockets the Black Keys. Early standout – and possibly closer of side one on the vinyl – is a yearning, acoustic ballad, “Glory, Glory (I am free)” while “Wilderness” with its pounding drums and scuzzy riffs sounds like a hangover from glam rock.
“Dead Man’s heart” is unexpectedly rockabilly, “Get My Mind Off” is dominated by its bass line, somewhere between Led Zep and the Black Keys. “Black rain” closes with a folky Fleetwood Mac feel.
Dea Matrona is Mollie McGinn and Orláith Forsythe; well worth a listen if you like melodic rock. See deamatrona.bandcamp.com.
JMC
