London-based, Zimbabwe-born pop singer/songwriter Ananya gives us a summer bop to rock with as she unveils her new single "Happy." The track is a mental health anthem that aims to not only promote mental health awareness but also highlight the adjacent topics ranging from uncertainty, doubt, self-love, and the cycle of turbulence that comes from life itself. Teaming with frequent collaborator Josh Berry who laces her with a bubbly plucky guitar-driven backdrop with bright textures and alluring pads, Ananya delivers a poignant and uplifting performance while encouraging her listeners to acknowledge the often-hidden emotions behind our seeming happiness and to embrace our journeys of healing.
For the accompanying "Happy" music video, which was filmed along the scenic coastline of Scarborough in Cape Town, Ananya has partnered with award-winning South African filmmaker Dirk Van Niekerk to bring the raw and honest emotion of the song further to life. With a sunrise backdrop of milky purple-pink skies, the visuals reflect the back-and-forth struggle between real happiness and surface-level contentment. Ananya’s simple yet powerful portrayal of vulnerability in the video is a reminder that behind every smile, there may be untold stories of struggle. It also highlights the importance of embracing both joy and sadness on our mental health journeys, while also celebrating the victories along the way.
The release of ‘Happy’ is especially significant as Ananya aligns it with World Mental Health Day to raise much-needed awareness for mental health issues in her home country Zimbabwe and beyond. She also wants to shine a light on her mental health initiative The Nani Wellness Project. Created in 2022 to address the mental health crisis and the critical need for accessible mental health care in Zimbabwe, the Nani Wellness Project is an online platform providing virtual therapy sessions and mental health resources for young people in her home country, where mental health services are scarce.
