We Speak Music

Rebekka Louise Delivers Masterful Album ‘Shame Is An Old Friend’

Published

2 years ago

July 30, 2024

The new album “Shame Is An Old Friend,” by the up-and-coming experimental pop star Rebekka Louise, is incredibly personal and experimental. It was released recently. From a master’s thesis, it has developed into an extensive study of mental health and how it affects reality on the inside as well as the outside. The album is guaranteed to captivate listeners with its candid exploration of the challenges faced by those grappling with mental health concerns and the journeys of their loved ones.

“Shame Is An Old Friend” bravely tackles depressive and guilty sentiments as well as the often challenging process of making one’s own decisions. It also emphasises the delicate tug-of-war between relationships and emotional turmoil. Rebekka’s unshakeable self-expression is captured in the words of each of the eight tunes, which are honest and unvarnished. Rebekka has created a distinctive sound that is both creative and emotionally impactful, drawing influence from a wide variety of musicians such as Madison Beer, Billie Eilish, The Neighbourhood, Aurora, and Maria Mena.

The album explores the complexities of electronica primarily, with live string passages that intertwine with the soundscape to produce a complex and engrossing listening experience. Rebekka’s outstanding vocal performance is one of “Shame Is An Old Friend”‘s most notable aspects. Her voice lends a genuine authenticity to each track as it expertly navigates and transmits the complex emotional terrain of the album with astounding depth and clarity. Rebekka’s remarkable skill is brought to light by her passionate delivery and impressive vocal range, which engross listeners in the personal and heartbreaking realm of her songs.

A high standard is set for what’s to come from this gifted artist with her hauntingly beautiful debut, “Shame Is An Old Friend.”

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We Speak Folk

Happy Sad Unveils Cinematic Video for New Single “Changeable”

Published

2 hours ago

October 26, 2026

We Speak Media

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