Brandon Lake and Nick Jonas Release ‘The Author’ and “Hope’ Single

An unexpected yet compelling collaboration between Brandon Lake and Nick Jonas has officially arrived, delivering a deeply reflective musical experience that blends Contemporary Christian worship with mainstream pop sensibilities. The two artists have unveiled a powerful new original track titled “The Author” alongside a refreshed version of “Hope,” creating a two song body of work that explores identity, surrender, purpose, and faith.

Released on May 1st 2026, the project had been quietly building anticipation after both artists shared subtle teasers toward the end of 2025. What initially sparked curiosity among fans has now unfolded into a meaningful collaboration that bridges two distinct musical worlds while maintaining a unified emotional and spiritual message.

At the heart of the release is “The Author,” a piano driven ballad that leans into vulnerability and reflection. The song carries a profound message about life as a story written beyond human control, pointing to a higher hand guiding every chapter. Brandon Lake leads the narrative with heartfelt delivery, while Nick Jonas adds a complementary layer of emotion that deepens the song’s impact. The lyrics echo a quiet surrender, as though saying every page, every moment, every unknown is held by the One who writes it all, capturing the essence of trusting the Author of life even when the story feels uncertain.

Alongside this, the collaboration breathes new life into “Hope,” originally from Nick Jonas’ Sunday Best project. The updated version features both voices intertwined, reinforcing a message of perseverance and resilience. It becomes an anthem that gently reminds listeners to hold on, to keep believing, and to find strength even in the middle of unanswered questions. Together, the two songs form a complete conversation, one reflecting on who holds the pen, and the other encouraging the listener to keep moving forward through every chapter.

Reacting to the release, Brandon Lake shared his excitement with fans, writing, “WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! 🤯🤯 “The Author” with my brother @nickjonas is OUT NOW, and debuting it live “from my hometown” just felt right,” capturing both the surprise and significance of the moment.

Listeners have described the collaboration as seamless and authentic, with neither artist stepping outside their identity, yet both meeting in a shared space of honesty and meaning. It is a sound that does not feel forced but rather flows naturally, carrying a message that resonates across both faith based and mainstream audiences. At its core, the project quietly points back to the idea that even in life’s uncertainty, there is purpose, direction, and a greater story unfolding.

The release also coincides with a major milestone in Brandon Lake’s journey, as he concluded his widely celebrated King of Hearts Tour with a powerful finale at Credit One Stadium in Charleston. The event marked the final stop of a 48 city arena run, one of the largest headlining tours in contemporary Christian music. The night extended beyond music into a global moment of worship, with a free livestream reaching audiences worldwide as thousands responded by giving their life to Christ and many publicly expressed their commitment through baptism.

The King of Hearts Tour, which launched in fall 2025, has been a defining chapter for Brandon Lake, featuring songs like “Gratitude,” “Graves Into Gardens,” and “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” the latter becoming a breakout anthem that crossed into the Billboard Hot 100 and dominated Christian radio. With special appearances from artists such as Pat Barrett and Franni Cash, the tour created moments of collective worship that extended far beyond the venues themselves.

Looking ahead, Brandon Lake is preparing to release his upcoming studio album King of Hearts on June 13, 2026, a sixteen track project entirely co written by him. Anticipation continues to build around songs like “Hard Fought Hallelujah” and “That’s Who I Praise,” which have already begun to resonate with listeners.

With “The Author” and “Hope,” this collaboration stands as more than just a musical release. It becomes a reminder carried through melody and message that every life is a story still being written, and even in the unknown, there is hope, purpose, and a steady hand guiding it all.