Soul singer Nao Yoshioka, active worldwide, to release new album "self" on limited edition color vinyl August 7 (Fri). Digital distribution starts July 17 (Fri).

The limited edition color vinyl analog record of "self," the new album by soul singer Nao Yoshioka, who is active worldwide, will be released on August 7, 2026 (Fri).

Performers active in the global soul scene gather

Philadelphia's neo-soul legend Bilal, Grammy-winning producer Peter CottonTale, world-renowned trumpeter Keyon Harrold, Chicago's poet/singer Jamila Woods, Emmy Award-winning and Grammy-nominated Khari Mateen, leading figure in the indie R&B scene Devin Morrison, Australian genius MXXWLL, UK's beautiful-voiced vocalist Sam Wils, Dutch artist with Ghanaian roots Bnnyhunna, Vietnam's rising star Mỹ Anh, Nordic R&B scene's new talent Misha, Germany's LoFi legend Shuko, and Taiwan's vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu.

Performers from America, Europe, and Asia gather for one work. This is also the culmination of the "WORLD SOUL COLLECTIVE" philosophy that SWEET SOUL RECORDS has embodied for many years. Crossing the boundaries of genre, country, and race, it resonates the current state of soul music on a global scale. While traversing neo-soul, indie R&B, Afrobeats, house, and spiritual jazz, Nao Yoshioka's voice connects them all with a single thread. The network and trust built through the tour that visited 11 countries with her previous album "Flow" made this album possible.

About the new album "self"

"self" is a work that delves deeply into the "inner self" that Nao Yoshioka has not shown before. After touring 11 countries with the world tour for her previous album "Flow," Nao Yoshioka arrived at a certain emotion beyond great achievement. That was the feeling of "it's just the beginning." Loneliness and struggles that she had overcome by continuing to move forward. However, in this work, she re-examines them not as things to "overcome," but as things to "accept as part of herself." The title "self" embodies the meaning of embracing the "true self," including not only strength but also weakness and hesitation. In this work, Nao Yoshioka confronts her own "shadow" and imbues the album with new freedom beyond that in her music.

[Product Information]

Artist: Nao Yoshioka

Title: self

Specifications: [Limited Edition] Analog record with obi strip on clear vinyl

Genre: R&B/Soul

Price: \4,950 (tax included)

Information Release Date: July 1, 2026 (Wed) 12:00

Release Date: August 7, 2026 (Fri)

Product Code: MCP-0038LP

UPC: 4560365714289

Distributor/Label: SWEET SOUL RECORDS

Sales URL: https://lnk.to/nao-yoshioka-self-lp

Tracklist:

[SIDE A]

01. Changes feat. Devin Morrison

02. You Got to Feel It feat. Bnnyhunna & Braxton Cook

03. Safe Place feat. Jamila Woods

04. Pieces of Me feat. Mỹ Anh

05. In the Rain feat. MXXWLL

06. Al I Wish

[SIDE B]

01. Inner Universe feat. Misha, Jussi Halme & Chien Chien Lu

02. Shadow feat. Bilal

03. Heartbeat feat. Khari Mateen

04. Side of You

05. Yet to Come feat. Keyon Harrold

06. Shelter feat. Sam Wils

Nao Yoshioka "self"

Distribution & CD sales begin July 17, 2026 (Fri)

Distribution URL: https://naoyoshioka.lnk.to/self

CD Sales URL: https://lnk.to/nao-yoshioka-self-cd

[Concert Information]

Nao Yoshioka "self" World Tour

A world tour visiting Japan and overseas is decided, supporting her latest album "self." In addition to the domestic tour, performances are planned in Europe, America, and various parts of Asia. Details of the Japan tour are as follows.

- Fukuoka Performance

Date & Time: October 18, 2026 (Sun)

Venue: ROOMS

Details: https://naoyoshioka.lnk.to/20261018-rooms

- Tokyo Performance

Date & Time: October 21, 2026 (Wed)

Venue: LIQUIDROOM

Details: https://naoyoshioka.lnk.to/20261021-liquid

- Osaka Performance

Date & Time: October 22, 2026 (Thu)

Venue: Yogibo META VALLEY

Details: https://naoyoshioka.lnk.to/20261022-meta-valley

- Hokkaido Performance

Date & Time: October 23, 2026 (Fri)

Venue: Sapporo Chimatsu

Details: https://naoyoshioka.lnk.to/20261023-sapporo-chikamatsu

Nao Yoshioka

Nao Yoshioka is a soul singer active worldwide. Her soulful voice transcends words and culture, reaching deep into the listener's heart.

She moved to New York alone, experienced authentic soul music, and the moment Sam Cooke's famous song resonated with her heart, she chose "singing that reaches the depths of people" as her lifelong path. Her deeply resonant voice and unwavering expressive power possess a core strength reminiscent of Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, while also having a modern soul feel that blends with contemporary sensibilities. As an Asian artist active in the global soul scene, she has garnered international acclaim as a unique presence.

Her true value is demonstrated in her live performances. Her live performance video, which has been viewed over 5.2 million times on YouTube, became a global sensation, and she has performed solo at Blue Note New York and London Jazz Cafe, as well as at major festivals such as the Java Jazz Festival and Capital Jazz Fest. Her music reaching across borders is evidenced by her being the first Japanese artist to chart at number 32 on the Billboard UAC chart.

In 2024, she released her 5th album "Flow" and successfully completed a world tour visiting 11 countries in Asia, Europe, and America. Furthermore, in 2026, she has built a unique position in the global soul scene through collaborations with various artists across generations, borders, and genres, including Grammy Award-winning artist Bilal.

Currently, she is gearing up for a new world tour with her new album "self." Her voice is deep, beautiful, and moves people's hearts. Nao Yoshioka continues to carve out a solid presence in the global soul scene.