The song was influenced by the dark, dreamy-pop sound of Blonde Redhead and the quite, emotional honesty of Mirah. Valor is about wanting to emulate the beauty, brilliance, and bravery of a person and reflecting on the illusion you've come to accept. It's about the moment of betrayal and clarity that comes when the façade of a person slips and reveals their true self, and how it helps you to learn who you really are.