Epictronic is delighted to announce the signing of Happy Sad, the evocative solo project of Japanese multi-instrumentalist and acclaimed sound designer Hiroaki Kusano. The partnership kicks off with the worldwide release of the masterpiece album, The World is Grand When We See, arriving June 11, 2026.
“It all began with a comment from Mr. Carlo of Epictronic on Hiroaki’s music.” Kusano said, “The partnership took shape from a shared vision and a clear understanding of the idea of ‘music that paints the landscapes of the heart.’”
“We are extremely proud and honoured to announce our collaboration with HAPPY SAD, an extraordinarily talented Japanese artist whose vision goes far beyond the boundaries of conventional songwriting. What immediately captured my attention was not only the quality of the music itself, but the depth, sensitivity, and artistic identity behind every composition. HAPPY SAD represents the kind of artist that today has become incredibly rare: authentic, cultured, emotionally honest, and deeply devoted to the creative process in all its forms. His music naturally blends elements of mellow soul, ambient, trip-hop, and cinematic soundscapes into something deeply personal and recognisable. There is a poetic elegance in the way he combines acoustic instrumentation with modern production techniques, creating songs that feel intimate, atmospheric, and timeless at the same time. Beyond his solo work, his impressive career as a sound designer and composer for more than 60 video game productions and multimedia projects demonstrates an exceptional artistic versatility and a truly international level of professionalism. For us, this collaboration is not simply a licensing agreement. It is the meeting of two artistic visions connected by a shared love for emotionally powerful music, sonic exploration, and artistic sincerity. We genuinely believe HAPPY SAD deserves much wider international recognition, and we are incredibly excited to help bring his music to new audiences around the world.” — Carlo Bellotti
A Cinematic Journey Through Shadow and Light
The World is Grand When We See brings together a refined selection of recent works, focusing on compositions designed to evoke imagery through sound. The album moves between neoclassical arrangements, ambient layers, lo-fi textures, world music influences, and alternative rock structures, forming a fluid and cinematic listening experience.
At its core, the record reflects a personal journey shaped by contradiction. Hiroaki’s perspective—formed through years of travel across ten countries in search of sound, instruments, and lived experience—embraces both beauty and discomfort in equal measure. The result is a body of work that does not avoid darkness but allows light to break through it.
The album carries a dynamic emotional arc. Initial heaviness gradually gives way to moments of clarity, where softness and warmth emerge like light after rainfall. This contrast becomes a central theme, mirroring the instability and emotional complexity of contemporary life. Rather than following trends, Happy Sad focuses on expression rooted in direct experience and human connection.
The title The World is Grand When We See reflects a simple idea: meaning does not come from second-hand perspective, but from direct observation and lived understanding. The music invites listeners into that process—quiet, reflective, and deeply personal.
About the Artist: The Architect of Sound
Hiroaki is the artist behind the project Happy Sad. He began making music during his student years, recording demos while performing solo acoustic sets and playing in café bars. His influences span soul, British rock, folk, trip hop, neoclassical, world music, film scores, and ambient, alongside a strong connection to literature and the arts. His work balances live instrumentation with programmed elements. To date, Happy Sad has released seven albums and 19 EPs.
Alongside his solo work, Hiroaki is a Sound Designer and Sound Director with around 14 years of experience in the game industry. He has held senior roles at companies including NetEase Games, FunPlus, NHN PlayArt, IGNIS / Studio King Inc., and Noisycroak Inc., contributing to more than 60 projects. His work covers music composition (BGM), sound design, MA, direction, promotional video production, and audio for games, commercials, and short dramas.
In 2013, his track “Everyday” won the domestic DJ category and became a finalist in MTV and Lenovo’s “CO:LAB” contest.
Happy Sad is his personal artistic outlet, developed since his student days. It reflects his inner landscape and explores both beauty and darkness in life, connected to a wider tradition of art and philosophy focused on human experience.
In recent years, he has traveled across ten countries in search of sounds and traditional instruments. Along the way, encounters with displaced people left a strong impression and reinforced his desire to share music that carries shared human emotion.
He views music as a universal language—capable of connecting people in the same way visual art can capture and communicate a single, lasting moment.
Tracklist:
- Red Sun, Red Rain Fall on the Ground (2026mix version)
- It’s Raining in Guangzhou
- Requiem for Dead Flowers
- Daily Life (2026mix version)
- Lily (2026mix version)
- A Waltz for the Fleeting Beauty of Nature
- The Flow of Time (2026mix version)
- Sunflower (2026mix version)
- Changeable (2026mix version)
- Floating Mellow (2026mix version)
- Confirmation (2026mix version)
- Nobody Knows Your Hidden Feelings (2026mix version)
- Crown of Flowers (2026mix version)
Watch the stunning video for “Red Sun, Red Rain Fall on the Ground” and step into the world of Happy Sad:
Stream ‘Red Sun,Red Rain Fall on the Ground’: https://orcd.co/qq3aepr
Connect with Happy Sad: Official Website: happysadsong.com – Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter) – Streaming: Spotify
