- 3.30 PM
- May 19, 2026
Bingkai Karya – Japanese soul vocalist Nao Yoshioka and Vietnamese singer-songwriter MỸ Anh join forces on “Pieces of Me,” a heartfelt mid-tempo R&B collaboration about self-discovery, belonging, and the quiet power of self-acceptance. The single arrives May 15, 2026 via SWEET SOUL RECORDS.
Produced by Shuko whose credits include working with Ella Mai and Kanye West the track blends both artists’ shared Asian roots and global musical perspectives into a warm, nostalgic soundscape that feels both intimate and universal.
ABOUT THE SONG
“Pieces of Me” is an exploration of self-acceptance, the ongoing process of embracing every fragment of who you are, the uncertain and the strong, the roots you carry and the world you reach toward. Each emotion and lived experience, however contradictory, comes together to shape a whole identity and ultimately lead to a true sense of belonging.
Rather than seeking validation from outside, the song invites listeners to turn inward to hear the voice that quietly reminds them: I am enough as I am. It captures a moment that is both deeply personal and universally felt: the stillness that comes when you stop fighting yourself and simply arrive.
THE STORY BEHIND THE TRACK
When Nao Yoshioka and MỸ Anh first met, they discovered an immediate and profound resonance in each other’s stories. Both artists had independently chosen to pursue R&B and Soul in English, a decision that set them apart from the established music markets of their home countries, Japan and Vietnam respectively and both had felt the loneliness and inner conflict that can come with that kind of artistic determination.
Part of the production journey took Nao to Hanoi, Vietnam, where the song took shape organically through recording sessions and rich cultural exchange. That experience of being between worlds Asian in identity, global in ambition became the emotional core of the record.
The collaboration came together over Shuko’s light, uplifting production: a delicate and warm soundscape that subtly supports the song’s introspective journey without ever overshadowing it.
ARTIST STATEMENT – NAO YOSHIOKA
“When MỸ Anh and I first met, we talked about what kind of emotions we could share. We wanted the song to come naturally from what we had in common. I was born and raised in Japan, but I’ve been singing R&B and Soul in English and working between Japan and overseas. Through that, there were times I felt uncertain or alone about where I belonged. MỸ Anh shared similar feelings as she builds her career globally from Vietnam, and we immediately connected on that level. I think this isn’t just about music, it’s something many people feel: the gap between their roots or environment and what they truly want to do. But no matter the situation, simply being yourself can bring a sense of freedom. That’s what I wanted to express through this song. I hope this track can help people reconnect with themselves.”
ABOUT NAO YOSHIOKA
Nao Yoshioka is a rare and authentic soul singer born and raised in Japan whose work has reached audiences around the world. After moving alone to New York and encountering the deep tradition of soul music, she chose a path devoted to creating songs that touch the deepest parts of the human experience. Her powerful, resonant voice evoking the great lineage of Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston carries the sensibilities of contemporary soul. She became the first Japanese artist to reach No. 32 on the Billboard UAC chart, has headlined Blue Note New York and London Jazz Cafe, and performed at international festivals including Java Jazz Festival and Capital Jazz Fest. In 2024, she released her fifth album Flow and completed an eleven-country world tour. She is currently working on her forthcoming album self, due July, 2026.
ABOUT MỸ ANH
MỸ Anh is a Vietnamese singer-songwriter and producer celebrated for her innovative artistry and cultural impact. She made history as the first Gen Z artist from Vietnam to appear on New York’s Times Square screen through Spotify’s EQUAL campaign, which honours outstanding global female artists. After rising to national prominence as runner-up on The Heroes in 2021 and performing at 88rising’s Head in the Clouds festival, she released her debut album Em (and its English version Me) in 2024. Her 2025 international release “Letting Go” an English R&B single featured on nine Spotify New Music Friday playlists, amassing over 650,000 listeners within 24 hours of release.
Read more about music here.
