Some songs are mere collections of melodies and words, while others become an open wound, spilling raw pain and unfiltered truth. Dax’s recent single, “I Hate That I Love You,” released on February 28, belongs to the latter. It’s a confession, a diary entry written in the darkest hours of heartbreak.
From the moment the track begins, Dax immerses us in his anguish, weaving a narrative so gripping that you feel every ounce of his suffering as if it were your own. “What you said really hurt me. And what you did was even worse.” From the first breath, he pulls no punches. The weight of his words is intensified by the melancholic production—subdued keys, atmospheric pads, and a slow, brooding beat that mirrors the aching emotion in his voice. There’s no dramatic prelude, no buildup—just Dax, pouring his soul into the mic, raw and unfiltered. It’s a haunting entry into a song that only digs deeper with every verse.
Known for his powerful delivery, “I Hate That I Love You” might be Dax’s most emotionally charged performance yet. His voice carries a trembling intensity, balancing between spoken-word confessional and impassioned lament. The way he delivers lines like, “I used to pray for someone like you, coulda sworn I was dreamin’. Then I woke up and realized you were one of my demons,” is devastating. I could hear the lump in his throat, the exhaustion in his voice, and the years of regret wrapped into every lyric.
The chorus is where his voice breaks into a near-desperate cry, especially when he confesses, “I only run to you ’cause I can’t run from you. You took my child away, he was my fuckin’ son too.” This is a purge and not what I’d describe as performance. The pain is real, the weight of his words is suffocating, and he doesn’t hold back.
Musically, the production is restrained, allowing the lyrics to be the star of the show. A melancholic piano progression lingers in the background, its somber notes echoing the despair in Dax’s words. Subtle strings and deep bass tones create a cinematic atmosphere, further amplifying the track’s emotional gravity. The beat remains steady, almost heartbeat-like, underscoring the lyrical turmoil without overpowering it. Unlike some of his more high-energy tracks, “I Hate That I Love You” thrives on minimalism. This isn’t a song that needs complex drum patterns or heavy synths—it needs space to breathe, space to let every lyric hit your core. And it does.
If you’ve followed Dax’s journey, this track solidifies what many already know—he is an artist unafraid of baring his scars. From his early viral freestyles to his introspective tracks like “Dear Alcohol” and “To Be a Man,” he has consistently delivered music that cuts deep, forcing listeners to confront emotions they might rather ignore. But this track? This is different. It’s the unraveling of a man who has lost more than love.
There are breakup songs, and then there are songs that leave you sitting in silence long after they’ve ended. “I Hate That I Love You” is the latter. It’s the kind of track you listen to at 2 AM when you can’t sleep, the kind that forces you to confront your ghosts. It’s haunting, heartbreaking, and undeniably powerful. With this, Dax didn’t just release a song—he handed us his pain, wrapped in melody, and dared us to feel it too. And if you let yourself sink into it, you won’t walk away the same.
Listen to “i hate that i love you” by Dax on Spotify or SoundCloud and watch the video with the above link
You can follow Dax here for more information.
