We Speak Folk

Happy Sad Unveils Cinematic Video for New Single “Changeable”

Published

2 hours ago

October 26, 2026

Ambient folk project Happy Sad has released the music video for “Changeable,” a track from the album The World Is Grand When We See, out now via Epictronic.

Built as a post-classical piece, “Changeable” moves through Eastern-inspired scales and instrumentation, unfolding with constant variation in mood and structure. The composition reflects a clear focus on contrast and movement, with musical ideas shifting rapidly rather than settling into repetition.

The track was originally developed under the working title “NHK Taiga Drama Style,” inspired by the orchestral openings of Japanese historical dramas. Those themes, known for their intricate arrangements and frequent shifts, shaped the piece’s structure — each section was designed to evolve quickly, creating a sense of changing scenery within a short runtime.

Happy Sad describes the writing process as a long-held idea that stayed unused for some time, originally envisioned for potential outside projects. When no fitting context emerged, it was developed independently into its final form, keeping the original concept intact: a composition built around transition, motion and emotional variation. The result is a focused, cinematic work that connects ambient folk sensibilities with post-classical orchestration and subtle Eastern influences.

Happy Sad is the solo project of Hiroaki Kusano, a Japanese artist and sound professional based in the game industry. He began making music during his student years, playing café bar gigs and recording demos. His influences take in soul, British rock, folk, trip hop, neoclassical, world music and film scores, alongside a strong connection to literature, and his recordings balance live instrumentation with programmed elements. To date, Happy Sad has released seven albums and 19 EPs.

Outside the project, Kusano has around 14 years of experience as a sound designer and sound director in the games industry, contributing to more than 60 projects at companies including NetEase Games, FunPlus, NHN PlayArt and Noisycroak Inc. In 2013, his track “Everyday” won the domestic DJ category and reached the finals of MTV and Lenovo’s CO:LAB contest. In recent years, he has travelled across ten countries in search of sounds and traditional instruments — and the encounters along the way have shaped his approach to music as a form of shared human expression.

The World Is Grand When We See is out now via Epictronic. Stream the album here: https://orcd.co/twgwws — and connect with Happy Sad at happysadsong.com and on Instagram @happysad_kusano.

Photo: Epictronic Records

We Speak Folk

Jeán et Joie Releases Album ‘Bramble,’ Pairing Poetic Lyrics With Atmospheric Folk

Published

3 days ago

October 23, 2026

Royal Jones

Jeán et Joie, the independent music group formed by artist and songwriter Grey Jeán, has released Bramble, a nine-track folk album exploring nature, spirituality and personal experience. Released on September 18, 2026, the album is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. Based in Winston-Salem, the group brings together mournful folk and a hopeful sensibility, offering listeners a collection suited to quiet listening and reflection.

With a running time of 31 minutes and 41 seconds, Bramble combines simple instrumental foundations with poetic, stream-of-consciousness storytelling. Its songs reflect recurring interests in celestial realities, the natural world and emotional integrity. Interested readers can visit the official website: https://jeanetjoie.com.

A Folk Collection with Varied Arrangements

The album opens with "MA," an acoustic folk track centred on haunting storytelling. "Glory Be" follows with electric and acoustic guitar, piano, bass and drums, supported by a minor-key setting and a downtempo 6/8 feel.

"Greatness Can Wait" introduces a livelier direction. Its soft piano opening develops into a funky indie-pop arrangement with a bass groove and a dreamy finish. "Dissolution," the album's longest track, expands the sound through heavier instrumentation and haunting harmonies.

Other selections include "No Trash Here," "Soul Sel" and "AGE," which features oboe within an ethereal folk setting. "Carriére" incorporates natural imagery and stream-of-consciousness lyrics, while closing track "Fried Rice" continues the collection's acoustic singer-songwriter approach.

These changes in instrumentation give listeners several ways to engage with the album while maintaining its reflective character.

Personal Experience and Spiritual Expression

Grey's songwriting connects lived experience with spontaneous expressions of spirituality. Across Bramble, this approach creates space for reflection through imagery, instrumental detail and an emphasis on emotional honesty.

"Bramble brings together the themes I return to in my writing: the natural world, spirituality and lived experience," said Grey Jeán, artist, songwriter and founder of Jeán et Joie. "My hope is that listeners find space within these songs for their own feelings and reflections."

The album's compact length allows listeners to experience its nine songs in a single sitting, following the shifts between acoustic intimacy, fuller arrangements and quieter passages. Here is a recent article published about the album.

Musical Roots and Listening Availability

Grey grew up in a musical household, surrounded by their three sisters' harmonies and polyphonic hymns associated with the family's Catholic faith. During a challenging adolescence in Mountain Home, Arkansas, they began writing original music and using their voice as a means of expression.

Their experience developed through choirs, open mic nights, live performances and virtual concerts during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, Grey played and wrote piano pieces for San Diego punk blues band Teeming Dreams. They formed Jeán et Joie in 2022.

Listeners can stream Bramble on Spotify and Apple Music or explore the album on Bandcamp by searching for Jeán et Joie.

About Jeán et Joie

Jeán et Joie is an independent folk music group formed by Grey Jeán and based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The project combines poetic storytelling and simple instrumental arrangements, drawing inspiration from nature, spiritual inquiry and personal experience.

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