Halle embodies the phrase “I don’t look like what I’ve been through” on her new single “Braveface.” Having been in the headlines recently with her son’s father DDG for all the wrong reasons, she hasn’t let the baby daddy drama bring her down in public, choosing instead to pour her private pain into her music. To achieve that, Halle pulls in RAYE on songwriting and Bongo ByTheWay on production to craft this extremely relatable song.
Over a hypnotic instrumental composed of guitar and percussion, the songbird is depressed as the track begins. She sets the scene, singing, “Sitting on the floor, curled up in a ball / Looking in the mirror and I feel so f**king small.” Despite these feelings, she decides to push through. “Gotta do what the girls do best, cover up the pain,” she sings.
Halle likens putting on a brave face for the world — when your world is honestly falling apart — to applying makeup. “Step one, rubbing my foundation on / Two, concealer to hide it from you / Three, I hope they can’t read between the liner / Gotta blind them, touch of highlighter / Four, I put on my blush in a rush ’cause I’m flushed,” Halle sings, outlining the process of putting her mask on.
In the music video for “Braveface,” Halle expresses even more vulnerability. She begins the clip wearing an opulent gold gown that she slowly sheds while other women also strip down to their underwear over the course visual. The act of taking off their clothes and exposing their bodies shows them proudly embracing their flaws and all. There’s also a brief cameo from RAYE who shares a few laughs with Halle during the otherwise serious video.
“Braveface” is Halle’s second solo single of 2025 and also follows her duet “RATHER BE ALONE” with Leon Thomas. She hasn’t indicated if this song will find a home on her highly anticipated solo debut album or when we can expect the project, but we’re ready to receive it whenever she’s ready to gift it. Listen to Halle’s vulnerable yet powerful message on “Braveface” right here and take in the visual as well.
