Toronto’s Theo Tams has just released his take on the R.E.M. single, “Losing My Religion,” on June 1st to coincide with Pride Month.

The artist’s moody and intense rendition of this song has a personal resonance, given his queer identity and the toxic role that religion played in his upbringing. Beginning as a piano ballad, the song develops a darkly electronic tone as it unfurls.

“There are so many members of the LGBTQIA community that have been burned by religion and the hate that is often disguised as ‘Christian love.’” says Tams. 

“I was raised in a really strict reformed Christian household where I felt from the get go that who I was at my core was ‘wrong’ and needed to be ‘cured.’ So many lyrics of this song resonated with me; I often felt like I had to choose being my authentic self or push it all down and choose God. It’s such a dangerous and sickening way of growing up.”

The song’s themes extend to Tams’ design choices for the single cover, which he describes as having a “‘Jesus-esque’ look about it.” The rainbow sunbeam serves as an accent to this religious imagery.

“I’ve always held on to the light of authenticity and truth throughout these moments of darkness and judgement,” Tams adds.