"The album is a fresh perspective on life and love" says the sultry soul singer. "I want the album to be like someone's favourite t-shirt - an album that you feel at home with, a soundtrack to life of sorts."

Production-wise Ashanthi says the album is a fusion of the newest sounds - a blend of ethnic melodies and radio-friendly hip hop/rnb. With production powerhouses such as Bathiya Jayakody and the Renganathan brothers [Shri and Sarangan] behind the mixing desk, future prospects for the album certainly look promising.

Ashanthi's intentions for her album are hardly fame-driven. At the moment, she is the first and only Sri Lankan female artist signed to an interntational record label. She feels this achievement is testament to the potential of female musicians in Sri Lanka. "I want the album to be an inspiration to other artists such as myself. There is so much untapped talent out there".

The challenges of producing her album have been plentiful claims Ashanthi. She confesses that the creative process behind an album has been one of the biggest journeys she's had to take. "Composing lyrics that are memorable, forming a concept for a song and basically creating the right chemistry has honestly been the biggest but most enjoyable hurdle for me". Maintaining mass-market appeal has also been a learning experience for the the young diva. "To cater to fans from all backgrounds, I've had to reconcile my soul/rnb roots with traditional Sri Lankan styles" she admits. "...and my being a staunch perfectionist doesn't make life any easier either" she adds.

The six months following the release of her album are set to be very hectic. "It will be a never-ending series of concerts, tours and promotional activity" she says. However for an artist with eyes on making it internationally, such a workload is par for the course she confesses.

A specific release date for her album is yet to be decided, advises Ashanthi. There is no doubt however that her fans will wait in anticipation for the diva's [and Sri Lanka's] first ever female ethnic rnb album. The stage is set for a rennaissance in female Sri Lankan music.