Debut albums rarely arrive with this much weight and clarity. Mary Hatley’s The Poison I Choose is an uncompromising exploration of love, loss, trauma, and resilience, filtered through the earthy blend of blues, country, and rock that feels deeply tied to her Memphis roots. Recorded at Easley McCain with Matt Qualls at the helm, the record is both polished and raw—an honest portrait of an artist finding her voice while refusing to soften her truths.
What strikes first is the sheer vulnerability of Hatley’s writing. As Long As You’re Mine captures the delicate surrender of opening up after years of walls, while Be My Lover smolders with both desire and hesitation. Her words are straightforward, but the emotion behind them is anything but simple. Can’t Forget You Now continues this thread, chronicling the tension between wanting closeness and fearing it—a theme many listeners will instantly recognise.
Elsewhere, Hatley expands her scope. Cross You Twice is both personal and political, a fearless reckoning with faith and society, while Wine, Flowers, & Blood pushes that exploration even further, revisiting religious trauma with stark honesty. These songs don’t preach, but they resonate deeply in their refusal to shy away from the hard conversations.
Hatley’s sense of place is equally compelling. What Are You Gonna Do captures the texture of Memphis nightlife with warmth and humour, balancing the heavier material. Dog Days and Miss You Dear provide some of the album’s most poignant moments, transforming grief and fractured family ties into meditations on survival. There’s a generosity in her writing—even when dealing with hurt, she leaves room for healing.
In The Poison I Choose, Hatley offers more than just a promising debut. She delivers a record that feels lived-in, brave, and necessary. Her sound may draw comparisons to artists like Elle King or Chris Stapleton, but her perspective is entirely her own. For Americana fans searching for honesty and depth, this is an album that will stay with you long after its final notes fade.
