Mei Semones / Animaru Cassette

Mei Semones’ debut album Animaru is a luminous and richly textured work that merges jazz, bossa nova, J-pop, and indie pop into a delicate yet confident artistic statement. Recorded in a farmhouse studio with her five-piece band, the album feels both intimate and expansive, exploring the tension between tenderness and bold self-expression. Each song is tied to an animal symbol and flows with lyrical introspection, deft guitar work, and gentle vocals that glide seamlessly between English and Japanese. At its core, Animaru is about liberation—breaking free of expectations and embracing the primal and poetic sides of being human.

Semones showcases remarkable range throughout the record, moving from breezy bossa nova (“Dumb Feeling”) to contemplative acoustic jazz duets (“Donguri”) and complex polyrhythmic pop (“I Can Do What I Want”). Her compositions are emotionally vivid without ever tipping into melodrama, and her voice—featherlight but unwavering—anchors each piece with grace. Animaru is both a personal exploration and a universal invitation, making Mei Semones one of the most intriguing new voices in contemporary music.

TRACKLIST

1 Dumb Feeling
2 Dangomushi
3 Toro Moyo
4 I Can Do What I Want
5 Animaru
6 Donguri
7 Norwegian Shag
8 Rat With Wings
9 Zarigani
10 Sasayaku Sakebu