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Today, Japanese R&B/Soul artist Nao Yoshioka shares her new song “Shadow,” a psychedelic, soulful duet with neo-soul pioneer Bilal via SWEET SOUL RECORDS. Produced by Philadelphia-based keyboardist, composer and producer Corey Bernhard (Bilal, DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), the song is inspired by famed psychologist Carl Jung’s concept of the “shadow,” with Yoshioka and Bilal performing a call-and-response between consciousness and the unconscious, exploring of inner conflict within oneself.
Yoshioka explains, “‘Shadow’ was born as I confronted my own weaknesses following my previous album. When I decided not to ‘overcome’ the weaknesses I had long denied, but instead to ‘love’ them, my emotions strangely began to feel free. During that process, I encountered Carl Jung’s concept of the ‘Shadow.’ When it truly sank in that even the parts of myself I didn’t want to see were still part of who I am, I felt a deep sense of clarity and decided to write a song around the themes of ‘Shadow’ and ‘Self.’”
“Shadow” is the third single to be released from her upcoming album titled Self. It follows “You Got to Feel It” featuring renowned saxophonist Braxton Cook and acclaimed Dutch producer and artist Bnnyhunna, which paints an intimate portrait of real emotions that exist between desire and sincerity. And Self lead single “In The Rain,” a reflective soul-centered song about self-discovery, emotional release and finding clarity through nature.
In 2025, Yoshioka released Philly Soul Sessions Vol. 2, further deepening her connection to the city and its neo-soul roots. In 2024, she released her fifth studio album Flow featuring collaborations with internationally recognized jazz and neo-soul artists including Takuya Kuroda, Melanie Charles, Reuben James, Jarreau Vandal, MXXWLL and others. That same year, she completed a world tour spanning eleven countries across Asia, Europe and the United States.
Her latest music reflects a continued focus on introspection, resilience and artistic growth as a global ambassador for modern soul, while pushing her sound into new creative spaces.
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