After about a year away, I’m glad that Mak Ro is back with new music. Their stuff is always thought-provoking and this one’s no exception. On “Hero,” the Filipino-American duo gives listeners vocals that wash over you and put you right into their story. While doing so, they also present love in all its glory (and confusion). Love is a wondrous thing. It’s also a thing that can heal as much as it can hurt, romantically-speaking and otherwise. Even before that, love is never a one size fits all sort of thing. After all, that’d mean everyone would be cishet and with people who look like them. One, that’s no fun. More importantly, love exists in various forms. That level of homogeny/anti-queerness mentioned above is obviously and thankfully impossible.

What works for me and my relationships/situations/FWBs/etc doesn’t necessarily have to work for you. Your view of love may not work for me. It’s that complexity that Mak Ro delve into deeply on this one. You’re given a song that speaks on the duality of love, relationships and how people enter into love (and/or stay in love). Sometimes, you only figure out how to love a person after going through hell and back with that person. It strengthens bonds, but also lets you know that the love is real. No, that’s not saying “ride or die regardless,” but that we can be the light to an otherwise dark space/place to our partners.

All in all, I’m here for new music from these guys. They’re talented with the vocals and their pens. Plus, we love them with the melodies, and they never go and “act” tough. Hell, being this open with your feelings is tough, point blank. Check out “Hero” below and support dope music in all its forms.