The Making of Brave Soul

Brave Soul is one of the most personal songs I’ve worked on. Emma and I wrote it late one night, thinking about her and Jordan’s brother, who we lost to an overdose. We wanted to turn that pain into something real—a way to honor him and reflect on the strength it takes to keep going. We know so many people are in that same pain. Playing it live for the first time was unforgettable, seeing the crowd connect with that story. It’s a connection that feels universal—a reminder that whether it’s you or someone you know, there’s a community out there that understands.

[AirwaveMusicTV]

Brave Soul is one of my all-time favorite songs. Lots of love for how you impact people through your music. ❤

[loopkill]

I had the privilege of being there that night, and I'll never forget the intense rush of emotions at the words and weight of this song

[localgemskier]

This is the most emotional song you have come out with by far. I’ll never forget hearing it for the first time at trilogy. Goosebumps though out my whole body!!!

[virgopath]

Omg, this song is immediate cry fest everytime 😭
Edit: Please play this song more at shows (if it’s not too overwhelming for you emotionally). Trilogy Denver was such a beautiful, emotional edit. Going into Lonely right after Brave Soul was so intentionally moving. It was emotional hearing that for the first time since Denver Trilogy last month in Dallas, but I was so grateful to experience those raw emotions all over again ❤️

[LF]

Brave Soul really breaks my heart in a way. It's a beautiful song and knowing how it was made doesn't make it any more memorable.

[ApheliosMusic]

The emotion in this song is so surreal

[michaelluckie]

I wish I found Illenium sooner...emotional songs like Brave soul and the many others released are very easy to connect and find peace with

[f.u.n.]

definitely in my top 10 "EDM" tracks ever. It's really insane how you can hear and feel the pain in the melody/notes. Emma's vocals are out of this world!

[ianschilhab]

My inspiration dawg ur music hits the soul just right

[charlotteschleiffers]

My best friend paid for me to watch the Trilogy stream because she knew how big of a fan I am. I lost her a few months later to suicide and I always think about her when I hear Brave Soul. This has become my favorite song and it'll never not make me miss her.

[criztophermejia]

Brave Soul It is pure art, something that will remain engraved for all eternity, thank you for saving my life with your music, your art. 🥹🙏🫶

[LitoA-pr]

Can’t believe I got to live this at Trilogy in Vegas. Core memory locked in forever.

[AreebMahmood]

Just an unbelievable song. Touches my soul in a way no other song can. It hurts, it makes you cry, but it also makes me feel like there’s hope and a reason to go on.

[summersday]

Vegas Trilogy will forever hold a piece of my soul!! It was my birthday & ending with Brave Soul for the finale was everything! If you were there, IYKYK it was THE only song to make the entire stadium vibrate with the bass & acoustics all night long! It was an honor to be there to be among the first to hear it LIVE! Watching this brought tears to my eyes! Proud of your recovery Nick, thank you for making the behind the scenes of this incredible tribute of Brave Soul!!! 💜😭

[sammylee]

I'm in recovery and I found you and didn't even realize you were also in recovery. I saw you in Dallas and I was like "God damn". I had a little boy and he listens to you all the time. I cant wait to see you again!

[maheshbibe]

I'm very glad that I found your music at just the right time in my life.. it was a time when I felt like everything was falling apart and I couldn't go on further but your music felt like that warm hug from someone you love which said, "you're heard, you're loved, you matter, do not give up !" and now it's a habit to go back to your music whenever I'm feeling low and I feel calm and motivated to keep living on ! Thank you, Illenium.. truly from the bottom of my heart ! <3

[Viper]

Brave Soul is still the most beautiful song I’ve ever listened to in my whole life!! This song really hit me the hardest, I haven’t lost anyone to addiction thankfully but I lost my two friends from car accidents and my Nana from Cancer so I always play this song for them and I can’t help but to tear up and get emotional every time I play this song and hearing it live at your shows Nick just hits home for me. I actually made a very special music video with this song and still today it’s the best video I ever made I had to do something special for this song and to mix it with my favorite things I love doing along with my favorite song of all time here I had to make it special and I did and today ILLENIUM thank you so much for all your incredible music it’s made me the happiest soul ever and I’m in touch with my heart and emotions more than ever before because of you and your music thank you for impacting so many beautiful people in this world and across the universe with your amazing beautiful talent! I love you Nick and keep rocking on! I can’t wait to catch you at your next show!!

[Viktoria-qjum]

The lyrics break my heart. They are so sad. ❤❤❤❤❤❤Brave Soul is really a beautiful song.

[Nelly.Jackson]

Brave soul is one of my fav song... very emotional song... thanks for sharing

[AmishSpaceProgram]

I slept on this song when it came out and rediscovered it in early 2024 and absolutely fell in love with it. I was going through my ex-wife and best friend cutting me out of her life, for legitimate reasons, and I played this song over and over, with that drop 2/3’s the way through giving me hope that something else was possible.😊