“War of Hearts” is a dramatic song about feeling conflicted in the face of a powerful love. Ruelle’s Soundcloud describes the song’s sound: “Dark, cinematic production with orchestral layers and haunting vocals. Strings, heavy drums, and big dynamic changes.”

Ruelle is the alias that singer/songwriter Maggie Eckford uses for the songs she writes for TV and film. Eckford released her first collection of Ruelle songs—including “War of Hearts"—in January 2015 on the EP Up In Flames.

“War of Hearts” became popular after appearing in the Freeform fantasy TV show Shadowhunters on March 29, 2016. The song was used in a pivotal scene from the show’s 12th episode “Malec” in which two characters, Alec and Magnus, kiss for the first time.

Ruelle’s “This is the Hunt,” is the Shadowhunters theme song. Another Ruelle song, “Storm,” was used by the show during an earlier kissing scene between Clary and Jace.

“War of Hearts” was also previously featured in an episode of the MTV show Teen Wolf in 2015.