Moira Bren obviously knows how to work a strong juxtaposition. Her latest single, “Afraid of Your Heart,” combines a bubbly pop-beat, harmonies, along with the inexhaustible effervescence of ukulele, with something of a much darker nature. As Bren puts it, the lyrics of “Afraid of your Heart” describe an individual’s intense fear of someone in their life.
While that sounds like makings of a horror movie, for many that situation has been made a reality by the current pandemic. Reduced mobility, stressful situations, and the further complications of maintaining shelters during quarantine have all contributed to a spike in domestic abuse.
“I wrote this song from the point of view of someone in an abusive relationship,” explains Moira Bren. “I am fortunate enough to have never been in a situation like this, but I know many women have, and are experiencing situations like this right now. Rates of domestic violence against women are rising during this lockdown and they need our support.”
“I’ve never met a horror story quite like yours, you’ve got me turning on the lights and locking all my doors, I was afraid of the dark, now I’m afraid of your heart,” sings Bren, painting an uncomfortable picture for us against a sugar-sweet backdrop of nylon.
“‘Afraid of Your Heart’ is one of the quickest songs I have ever written,” says Bren. “The melody came to me super fast and the lyrics came right along with them.”
Moira Bren notes that she will be donating 50% of all proceeds from “Afraid of Your Heart” to The Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre, an organization that provides services and programs for women in need. You can currently purchase the track on Bandcamp.
“Afraid of Your Heart” is expected to appear on Moira Bren’s upcoming EP, 6 Is Green, which is set to be released late this summer.