Any Joy? blends Japanese and British musical traditions, weaving together shimmering City Pop textures, folk sensibilities and psychedelic influences. Horn’s poetic songwriting is perfectly complemented by Shibayama’s intricate arrangements, creating something that feels both distinctive and difficult to categorise.
Quirky and experimental, yet never self-consciously eccentric, Any Joy? successfully brings together the sometimes contradictory worlds of traditional Japanese music and British guitar music. The result is a unique, genre-defying sound entirely their own.
Their debut single, ‘What Could I Do?’, released in November 2025, enjoyed immediate success, earning international radio play, a sold-out Liverpool headline show, a festival appearance at Hyper Japan, and ultimately leading to the booking of a nine-date tour of Japan.
Their second single, ‘Shariraimon’, a British psychedelic folk track infused with a Japanese mantra, is was released on 21st February. With several UK shows already confirmed, the band is currently booking dates between 9th February and 6th March for its first UK tour.
Debut album, Sweet Nothing, is out later this year with plans for its release in both Japan and the UK.
Reviews:
‘The best harmonies on Merseyside, this album is full of songs that bring sunshine to an otherwise miserable spring.’ Dave McCabe (The Zutons)
“One of the most exciting bands I’ve heard in years.” Nick Power (The Coral)