Dutch singer-songwriter and music therapist Harry Kappen has released his latest single, “Be Brave If You Can,” a deeply reflective piece that shifts from protest to quiet contemplation. Marking the third single from his latest album, Four, the track demonstrates Kappen’s ability to navigate not only different musical moods but also the fragile terrain of human emotion.
Kappen has built much of his recent catalog on socially conscious and politically charged songs like Wargames, Break These Chains, and The Freedom Inside. These works carried the weight of protest and defiance, speaking to injustice, manipulation, and the abuse of power.
But with “Be Brave If You Can,” Kappen takes a different path. Rather than rallying for action, the song invites listeners into a state of quiet endurance and acceptance. “Deal with it and try to make the best of it,” he reflects. “Hopefully you are brave enough when it comes down to it, but honestly you can’t ask that of everyone.”
It’s a statement that acknowledges vulnerability as part of the human experience — courage, Kappen suggests, doesn’t always roar; sometimes it whispers.
In a global climate where wars, misinformation, and power struggles dominate headlines, “Be Brave If You Can” doesn’t push for confrontation. Instead, it offers a message of survival, a reminder that bravery is often found in simply continuing. The song carries a gentler emotional weight, reminding listeners that stillness and self-acceptance can be forms of strength.
The single arrives alongside a minimalist, intimate lyric video available now on YouTube. The video doubles as a kind of self-portrait — stripped down, raw, and honest — much like the music itself. It reflects the transparency that Kappen brings to his dual life as both an artist and a music therapist.
Kappen’s role as a music therapist and educator, working with adolescents and families, deeply informs his artistry. His professional background provides him with a unique lens on resilience and vulnerability, shaping his songwriting with empathy. As he explains, “Dealing with it takes enough courage in itself.”
This therapeutic influence allows Kappen’s music to function as more than just art — it becomes a mirror for the listener’s inner life, blending creative expression with emotional insight.
Influenced by legends such as Paul McCartney, Prince, David Bowie, Radiohead, and Knower, Kappen has consistently fused art-rock sensibilities with singer-songwriter intimacy. “Be Brave If You Can” continues this trajectory, weaving subtle melodies with introspective lyrics. Its understated composition highlights Kappen’s evolution as an artist — one who balances sonic richness with quiet vulnerability.
As an independent artist, Harry Kappen has steadily gained international recognition. His singles have collectively earned nearly 400,000 Spotify streams, and his work has been acknowledged on global stages. In 2024, he placed third in Musician of the Year at the Elite Music Awards, and he has been shortlisted for honors at both the Josie Awards (Nashville) and the International Red Carpet Awards (2024–25).
These achievements underscore his growing reputation as a songwriter who merges social awareness with emotional resonance — and “Be Brave If You Can” reinforces this reputation with quiet strength.
More than just a song, “Be Brave If You Can” is a gentle reminder of resilience. In a time when strength is often equated with resistance or loud defiance, Kappen suggests that sometimes bravery lies in endurance, in acceptance, and in facing the uncertainty of life with grace.
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