“PIECES OF ME”
May 18, 2026 — 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.”