Shihori turns dark memories into light-hearted jazz-pop with her jubilant, life-affirming single and video Your Song — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The latest showpiece from her first full-length U.S. album Mutation, Your Song finds the L.A.-based artist digging into her past to adddres the troubling topic of self-harm. That said, morose notions of despondency are nowhere to be found in Your Song. From its delicate percussion and expressive vocal runs — not to mention the rich piano melodies and equally enchanting harmonies — Shihori’s jazzy, energetic pop makes a grand splash.
“The reason why I was so passionate about this topic was because I myself was also one of them who used to wonder if I should’ve killed myself as revenge (to others) for school bullying,” Shihori shares. “I was always a very different kid; it might be because of deafness in my left ear or Asperger Syndrome. Although I had a very strong heart that I never bent myself, I got so hurt and exhausted to fight against the hatred from other kids, I wished to die. My parents were strict enough never to get me cancel the school, the only person who understood me seemed to be Beethoven, awkwardly. I was able to release stress by playing Beethoven’s piano sonatas. That moment saved my life many times.
“I remember one day I wrote a letter to myself in the future, asking if I became happy. I looked up at the long stretch of airplane clouds but couldn’t see my future. There seemed to be nowhere to belong for me, but just wished to. And I wrote back a letter back to my former self, with concrete confidence that ‘You are right, you are amazing. Thank you for being alive.’ This song is that letter. And this might be to you or could be from your future self to you right now.”
Fittingly, Your Song serves as the centrepiece of Mutation, a disc that highlights Shihori’s innate talent for both storytelling, producing a package of art-pop pieces that make you move as they bring you a message. “Mutation is very diverse, and the songs showcase how I’ve mutated since I moved to the U.S. in 2018,” she explains.
Watch Your Song above, hear Mutation below, and find Shihori at her website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
