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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. These 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 remained unused for some time, originally envisioned for potential external projects. When no fitting context emerged, it was eventually 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 and cinematic work that connects ambient folk sensibilities with post-classical orchestration and subtle Eastern influences.

Watch “Changeable” :

About the Artist: The Architect of Sound

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. His recordings balance live instrumentation with programmed elements. To date, Happy Sad has released seven albums and 19 EPs.

Outside of music, Hiroaki has around 14 years of experience as a Sound Designer and Sound Director in the games industry, having contributed to over 60 projects at companies including NetEase Games, FunPlus, NHN PlayArt, and Noisycroak Inc. His work spans music composition, sound design, audio direction, and promotional video production. 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, Hiroaki has travelled across ten countries in search of sounds and traditional instruments. Encounters along the way with displaced communities 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 here:  orcd.co/twgwws

Edmonton instrumental rock guitarist Jon Harris has unveiled the playthrough video for If You Wouldn’t, from his album Parallel Heart (Epictronic). With every note, he pulls you deeper into his world, where soulful riffs, graceful solos, and rich guitar and keyboard layers create a sound that is both intimate and vast.

“‘If You Wouldn’t’ started as a test riff for my new Telecaster. I bought the guitar for recording the album and absolutely fell in love with it,” stated Jon. “A friend of mine asked what my new Telecaster sounded like, so I quickly kicked out this riff, thinking not much of it. Next thing I knew it was 3am and my wife was asking me to come to bed. A few weeks later we had an opener for the album. There’s a kind of emotional depth in the track that even I have a hard time putting into words. I spent a lot of time trying to rewrite parts of it later, but nothing ever felt as honest as that first version. What you hear on the record is exactly how it needed to be.”

Watch If You Wouldn’t (Playthrough):

Stream the full album Parallel Heart now:
🔗 orcd.co/parallelheart

The album is a vivid showcase of Harris’s multi-instrumental skills and compositional vision. While completely instrumental, Parallel Heart conveys stories of tension and release, exploring the space between connection and chaos, creative ambition and everyday demands. From the pulsing energy of Togetherness to the shimmering retro feel of 97BPM, each track builds its own emotional narrative.
Harris, who performed guitar, drums, bass, piano, and production on the record, proves himself not only a guitarist to watch but a full-scale sonic architect. His sound bridges blues-soaked rock, synth-driven textures, and funk grooves with cinematic flair — think Jeff Beck meets Prince with a modern rock edge.

Previous videos from Parallel Heart:

Togetherness (Playthrough): https://youtu.be/hioOIfrUkpE

Entitled (Visualizer): https://youtu.be/_B8KgOYCenA

My Little Lady (Visualizer): https://youtu.be/ry28qp3DIUI

Epictronic is proud to announce the launch of its brand-new digital platform, developed in partnership with California-based Gold Leaf Media. The platform has been built to offer fans, artists, and industry partners a fresh, intuitive, and immersive experience.

From the latest news and releases to music videos and exclusive content, visitors can now explore everything Epictronic has to offer in one place—while discovering the growing roster of international talent shaping the label’s vision.

This launch marks a significant step in Epictronic’s mission to amplify creativity, innovation, and authenticity across the global indie rock scene.

A special thanks goes to Emma Coleman for her outstanding contribution and support in bringing this project to life.

Explore the new platform here: https://epictronic.com

Epictronic Records proudly presents the official music video for “I’m Happy if You’re Happy,” a standout track from Sicky’s outstanding album “Troubled Delight”, available now.
Sicky’s “I’m Happy If You’re Happy” gives a playful nod to The Cure’s classic “The Lovecats.” The bassline and production clearly draw from the vibe and energy of that unforgettable track. Sicky hopes this song will have the same kind of lasting charm.
There’s a subtle cat theme running through the song, but it’s really about setting a trap or drawing someone in, not just about cats. If you listen closely, you might hear some cat noises sprinkled in—and, for a fun surprise, Scarlet throws in a random turkey impression.
“Recording the track was a lot of fun and brought a joyful, carefree energy to the process.” Said Sicky

Experience the unfiltered energy of “I’m Happy If You’re Happy” now with the official video:

Troubled Delight came together unexpectedly in late 2023, with ideas flowing fast and easy—each song sparking the next. Sicky kept things simple and authentic, recording everything at home and experimenting with unusual percussion instruments found in Lily and Scarlet’s music room. The album is sprinkled with cool field recordings too, from church bells to shopping centre doors and even a spooky Hammer Films sample.

Highlights include the moving track “The Hill,” inspired by a tough 22-mile charity walk, Jen Bone’s warm double bass recorded on the fly, and Rebecca Butler’s angelic vocals on “Mankind.” With every song clocking in under three minutes, Troubled Delight is a scrappy, joyful collection of tunes that hit hard and fast.
Written and produced by Sicky at home and mastered by Charlie Francis, this album is bursting with heart, energy, and an unmistakably DIY vibe that fans of honest, catchy rock will love.

Delight redefines the pop-rock landscape with charm, spontaneity, and unforgettable hooks.
Stream “Troubled Delight” here: https://orcd.co/tbalbum