JoySauce Radio: The art of the collaboration
From a British balladeer and Punjabi Canadian rapper, to a K-pop idol teaming up with an ex-boy bander, these pair ups are where it's at
From left, cover art for “folding chairs on the moon” by grentperez and HONNE, “Eyes Closed” by ZAYN and JISOO, and “Nocturne 07 (for aerse)” by DEAN feat. MISO.
Photo illustration by Ryan Quan
Words by Anjana Pawa
JoySauce Radio: Consider JoySauce Radio our own personal song recommendations—from the tunes and videos our writers love to DJ-produced mixes of dance floor bangers—all from Asian and Pacific Islander artists around the world.
Autumn has a way of bringing people together who might not normally cross paths and October’s JoySauce Radio celebrates exactly that. Each song on this playlist is an unlikely collaboration between two artists and the chemistry that comes from that improbability. The possibilities are endless: A British balladeer teams up with a Punjabi Canadian rapper, a South Korean R&B icon writes a song for a fragrance to spark emotions with multiple senses, and a K-pop idol meets an ex-boy bander to find common ground in emotional storytelling. Whether born from friendship, curiosity, or just as a fun experiment, these pairings remind us that the most unexpected duets often hit the warmest notes, which is exactly what we need as the weather begins to get colder.
“Eyes Closed” by ZAYN and JISOO
ZAYN’s ballad “Eyes Closed” gets a new emotional reimagining in this version featuring BLACKPINK’s Jisoo. Her Korean verse adds a textural melancholy to the song, making it almost cinematic. The two have voices that suit each other well and this version of the song is perfect as autumn begins to settle. Originally a solo meditation on loss, the duet in which JISOO joins ZAYN transforms it into a dialogue between two people who are facing the same heartbreak.
“Symmetry” by Ed Sheeran ft. Karan Aujla
This collaboration between British pop’s favorite balladeer Ed Sheeran and Punjabi Canadian powerhouse Karan Aujla is a study in how contrast sometimes just clicks. “Symmetry” is a song that becomes even better with Aulja’s bhangra verse, giving it that extra bang, bouncing off Sheeran’s acoustic verse perfectly. The accompanying video is just as exciting and fun, with the two artists meeting in the middle, blending London’s soul and Punjab’s energy into something completely new.
“Nocturne 07 (for aerse)” by DEAN feat. MISO
South Korean alt-R&B icon DEAN is back with “Nocturne 07,” a collaboration that blurs the line between sound and scent as forms of nostalgia. Created with fragrance brand aerse, the track is a slow burn. A vocal collaboration with MISO, her vocals play around with DEAN’s falsetto beautifully, creating a song that really captures the beauty that sometimes only a pleasant scent wafting around you can.
“목소리” by Worakls ft. HEYOON
French producer and composer Worakls, who is mostly known for his orchestral electronic soundscapes joins forces with South Korean artist Heyoon for “목소리.” The title of the song translates to “A Voice” which is exactly what stands out in the song: Heyoon’s vocals. They are high energy yet haunting, making the song hold a different kind of weight. The cross-cultural experimental track is an unlikely collaboration that worked wonders.
“folding chairs on the moon” by grentperez and HONNE
Both Filipino Australian singer-songwriter grentperez and British electronic duo HONNE share a knack for warm groovy tunes so this collaboration feels almost fated. The song is lo-fi yet still lush with playful guitar melodies, synthy undertones, and vocals that feel soft and airy. This song feels like a soft blanket as the weather becomes colder and you’ll want to put it on your autumn playlist.
Published on October 28, 2025
Words by Anjana Pawa
Anjana Pawa is a Brooklyn-based culture reporter who regularly covers music, entertainment and beauty. You can find her on Twitter at @apawawrites.
Art by Ryan Quan
Ryan Quan is the Social Media Editor for JoySauce. This queer, half-Chinese, half-Filipino writer and graphic designer loves everything related to music, creative nonfiction, and art. Based in Brooklyn, he spends most of his time dancing to hyperpop and accidentally falling asleep on the subway. Follow him on Instagram at @ryanquans.