In a powerful confluence of art and advocacy, rising Pop sensation, singer/songwriter, fashion creative, and mental-health activist, Ananya, releases her latest single, “Happy”, with accompanying visuals coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month. Known for her introspective songwriting and genre-bending soundscapes, Ananya brings listeners on a journey through the complexities of surface emotions and the hidden struggles we often mask behind a smile.
“Happy” is a nostalgic, ambient pop track that captures the duality of emotions—genuine joy intertwined with the lingering uncertainties of happiness. The song, produced in collaboration with Josh Berry, takes listeners through the raw, often messy feelings that arise when happiness is not quite as it seems. It was inspired by a period of introspection where Ananya found herself caught between the desire for clarity and the complexity of emotions that cannot be easily unravelled.
The accompanying music video, directed by Dirk Van Niekerk and filmed against the serene backdrop of Scarborough, Cape Town, visually echoes these themes. As the sun rises over the milky purple-pink sky, Ananya takes viewers on a drive that symbolises the pursuit of authentic happiness. The video captures fleeting moments of joy, uncertainty, and the vulnerable space where surface emotions dissolve, revealing what lies beneath. The simplicity of the visuals—featuring Ananya driving a vintage car named Primrose—draws viewers into the honest emotions that align perfectly with the song’s lyrics.
Listen to ‘Happy’ here
Watch the music video here
Press release courtesy of Sheila Afari PR
