Shihori releases “Lunar Flower” as a theme song to upcoming audio book titled Annuna and the Lunar Flower

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International J-Pop singer/songwriter Shihori has had success in a variety of different musical formats. Now she has put out the powerful new single “Lunar Flower” as a theme song to the audio book titled Annuna and the Lunar Flower by Marcio Catalano, which is scheduled for a future release.

The single incorporates Shihori’s classical style with the likes of Japanese anime music and beats that could be akin to American pop music. “Lunar Flower” begins with delicate, ethereal piano that complements Shihori’s vocals.

It then drives into an up-tempo section and Shihori finishes with a soaring feeling and a triumphant finale that will captivate listeners. The song will not only pull the heart strings, but will leave the listener ready to take on the world, fueled by Shihori’s beautiful voice and orchestral arrangement.

“Lunar Flower” was arranged by Takayuki Negishi, known for his music on the anime show One Piece. Mixing Engineer Alvin Wee and Mastering Engineer Oscar Zambrano have both won Grammys for their work. The cover art for the track is by Eddie Smith, who was a chief art director for the game Halo.

“This track is really my style,” she said. “I grew up with classical music and anime songs, and it has both elements.”

Shihori, who moved from Japan to the U.S. in 2018 and currently resides in Los Angeles, loved the story written by Catalano and felt compelled to write the theme song.

Shihori has Asperger’s Syndrome, and said this has caused for some difficulties in feeling like she couldn’t be her true self in the past. She found many similarities of that past self in the main character Annuna, which helped contribute toward the track. The music came naturally to Shihori, as she said it is not only the theme song to the upcoming audiobook, but also heavily related to her as a person.

“I was so inspired by this story,” Shihori said. “I could put so much real emotion into this song.”

Shihori has had plenty of success in Japan, as many of her releases have made the Oricon Chart and received Gold Disc certification. She debuted in 2007, and her single titled “Never End Wonderland” under the pseudonym “Sena” was ranked No. 5 and No. 8 on the Oricon Singles Daily and Weekly Charts in 2009. She has also composed more than 130 songs for popular Japanese artists, and shows like My Little Pony and Fairy Tail.

Since coming to the U.S., Shihori has been acclaimed for her music in video games like League of Legends; Mobile Legends: Bang Bang; and Omega Strikers.

Asperger’s Syndrome can be a struggle as it makes it difficult to communicate, but it also brings about a uniqueness and strength for Shihori. Being half-deaf as well, she serves as an ambassador and inspiration for those with disabilities. Shihori wants those who have a similar struggle to know that they should “believe in themselves and be proud of themselves.”

“There is a bright future at the end of a lot of struggles,” she said.

Be sure to keep up to Shihori and check out the new single “Lunar Flower,” available on all platforms April 12. Its music video, directed by Chris Cole/Dynamic Motion Pictures, is also available on YouTube.

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Caterina Ross sings about the strength deep in your soul in the new single “Strong” off her fourth album Yes, I am Cat

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Spanish pop musician Caterina Ross has had international success, putting out music on two different continents. Now she is releasing her fourth studio album, Yes, I am Cat, featuring the single “Strong,” where she sings about inner strength.

“I think that is more important than what you show on the outside,” Ross said. “It is important to be strong inside and show that you can face everything, and can do anything.”

The song is complete with a music video that she filmed with horses, which she notes are strong animals, but at the same time they are very sensitive. This is a major theme in the song “Strong,” and something she was able to bring to visual life in the video and relates to humanity, as well.

“You don’t have to be afraid of showing your feelings or weaknesses, because it is a beautiful part of being a human being,” Ross said. “

Ross was born and raised on the island of Majorca, Spain, and has been singing since she was a teenager. She eventually turned to theater acting in classical plays, and went on to television and and musicals. Ross sang in several several pop rock cover bands, but then in 2013 she released her first single titled Don’t Miss the Time.” The next year she released her first album titled Pieces of Me through her production company Blau.

In 2015 she released her second album titled Remixed that included the award winning song “Sólo Me Queda Soñar, which was a big hit in her home country. This song was originally composed for a film in international festivals, and thanks to this track, she was able to come to the U.S. to sing. She was invited to various festivals to perform after the song became a huge success. One of Ross’s songs, “Let the sun just shine” received plenty of fanfare, as well.

In 2018, Ross was the recipient of 15 international awards, and in 2020 she was “Best International Artist” through the Hispanic Music Awards in Acapulco, Mexico.

Ross’s first two albums were in English, but her fans in Spain wanted her to speak in their native language. In 2021 she released Nunca Se Pierde, which she received several awards for in Mexico and Spain.

“During the pandemic I had a lot of time to compose that album, and the one I am going to release now,” she said.

Yes, I am Cat’s title is a play on Ross’s identity, as people call her Cat for short, but it is also her favorite kind of pet. The album is composed of 10 songs in English, with sounds of pop and a little bit of soul.

“In this album, I talk about the things around me,” Ross said. “I talk about friendship and things that I find important in my life. I am more mature than in the other albums so I reflect on things that have happened to me, or around me.”

Ross touches upon aspects like nature in her new album, as well. There is a song called “If I talk to the Earth,” speaking about being thankful and also apologetic to the Earth about all that has been done to it. There is another track about stray cats called “My Sheltered Cat,” as she operates and helps at shelters.

The record was created by Ross composing the songs and recorded with the help of her producer Daniel Ambrojo. Ambrojo has worked with established musicians across Spain, and is an excellent pianist and guitar player that Ross has high respect for. Ross said they put the bass line to the songs, and add other electronic instruments to help bring her ideas to life on record.

Ross explained that she doesn’t just sit down and compose songs. Normally she is in the car driving, and a song will come to her and she’ll start singing. The melody will come and then suddenly the lyrics will be there, and voila: she has a new song.

“I think I am quite content with the ideas in this album, with the melodies,” Ross said. “I expressed so many things I have inside. It’s expressing myself through music, and that is wonderful. It makes me feel very good.”

Being her fourth album, Ross was able to put out material that she loves and is proud of. She admits that she is not a fan of her first three records, saying she can’t even listen to them because this one is so much better.

“There is an evolution,” Ross said. “Growing up and learning. I have a vocal coach and I am still learning and developing my music. I am learning from other artists, especially the artists of the ‘80s like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Madonna and Queen. I learn everyday. I want to do it better and grow up musically speaking.”

As Ross said, there is a constantly evolution in her music. She wants to improve the lyrics she has in English as it is not her native language. Ross will be taking courses in April to be able to grow as a songwriter.

Musicians like Michael Jackson have helped her develop the sound she currently has. Ross has always wanted to be like him musically, and said that his work taught her to believe in herself and put her all into her work.While she is inspired by the musicians she reveres, Ross also said it is important to not be too influenced by others and “just be you.”

“It is important to be authentic,” she said.

Check out Ross’s brand new album Yes, I am Cat, and the single and video for “Strong,” available on all platforms on March 22.

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