Rising alt-pop voice Braden Bales releases “5 STAGES OF GRIEF”, a deeply personal EP on love and loss.
Braden Bales has made his long-awaited return with the release of 5 STAGES OF GRIEF, a confessional and emotionally layered EP now available via Capitol Records. Known for his piercing honesty and evocative songwriting, Bales presents a deeply introspective project chronicling the aftermath of a profound personal loss.
Across five tracks — including previous favorites “SUBTITLE” and “I DON’T WANNA KNOW,” and new entry “WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT” — the EP acts as a guided meditation through pain, acceptance, and the strength it takes to rebuild.
In his words: “We lose people all the time. It’s human. Anything worth loving leaves a hole in your heart when it’s gone… I hope this helps you how it helped me.” 
This body of work emerges not only from heartbreak but from the journey that followed. As Bales completed a successful headlining tour and supported Livingston’s The Story Continues Tour, he performed these songs in real time — creating a dialogue with fans who found their own stories in his.
Musically, 5 STAGES OF GRIEF is driven by atmospheric alt-pop and restrained production, allowing Bales’ lyrical vulnerability to sit front and center. It’s a sharp turn from overproduction, embracing simplicity and sincerity.
Bales isn’t just chronicling his pain — he’s creating a framework for healing. For listeners navigating emotional upheaval, this EP may be the soundtrack they didn’t know they needed.
