Hailing from the remote landscapes of Northwestern Ontario, 2SLGBTQ+ singer-songwriter Brooklyn Doran has spent over a decade establishing herself as a cornerstone of the Toronto folk community. Renowned for a live show that beautifully juxtaposes sharp, humorous storytelling with hauntingly vulnerable melodies, Doran has continually expanded her sonic horizons. After a three-year hiatus following her 'Fixer Upper' EP—a period filled with a secret wedding and a stint handling merch for Canadian hardcore titans Cancer Bats—she has returned with a bold new single, ‘Heavy Hurt’.
Released on 18th May 2026, ‘Heavy Hurt’ serves as the second glimpse into Doran's highly anticipated upcoming EP. Co-written alongside Mike Tompa and Dan Hosh, the track marks a thrilling departure from her acoustic roots, leaning heavily into a grunge-infused indie-rock aesthetic. The arrangement is expertly layered, combining fuzzy, distorted guitars with glistening, twinkling synths that perfectly frame her emotionally raw vocal delivery. It is a brilliant blend of alternative rock grit and pop accessibility.
Lyrically, the song navigates the emotional friction of transitioning between life on tour and life at home. Written entirely on the road, the inspiration struck during a chaotic moment while travelling with Cancer Bats. Doran explains:
'Heavy Hurt' is a grunge-tinged indie-rock song about the transition from being on tour to being home; especially when you are leaving behind someone you love. It was written on the road, during a month-long tour with Canadian hardcore band Cancer Bats. Our van broke down during the tour and had to be scrapped for parts; and I thought about how the idea of being scrapped for parts could apply to a relationship with a person, and then I began writing.
This sense of exhaustion and profound longing underpins the entire track, capturing how exhausting cross-country travel and conflicting time zones can stretch a relationship to its limits. Yet, underneath the strain, there is an overarching realization of just how vital that connection remains.
True to her DIY roots, the single arrives via Merch Girl Records, an independent, 2SLGBTQ+-owned label founded by Doran herself to uplift community-driven music and marginalised voices.
‘Heavy Hurt’ is available to stream now on all major digital platforms. Be sure to add it to your playlists and follow Brooklyn Doran on Facebook and Instagram to catch updates on her upcoming EP.
