Mei Semones has quickly established herself as an artist to watch with her infectious combination of jazz, indie rock, and j-pop. Though the mix might seem unusual, it surprisingly works well together. She cites Nirvana as her first musical love but also took jazz lessons in high school, listening to Wayne Shorter and other jazz legends. Along with her diverse musical styles, she alternates between English and Japanese in her vocals. Following a series of well-received EPs, she is now launching her debut LP ‘Animaru’, which distills her musical influences into ten eclectic and captivating tracks.
‘Dumb Feeling’ encapsulates her musical journey so far, merging indie and folk elements while showcasing the depth of her vocals. The subtle strings contribute to the distinctive ambiance. There's a lot happening, yet it's hard to turn away from it.
‘Dangomushi’ features a jazz-inspired rhythm, although the vocals lean more indie. For many artists, performing in a single language would be challenging, but Semones effortlessly blends English and Japanese while juggling various genres.
Many tracks are filled with high energy, particularly ‘Tora Mayo’, which shines in its joyous two minutes and fifty-one seconds. It feels like a celebration of the various influences that have shaped Semones' musical path.
Her evident talent as a guitarist and songwriter is commendable, along with her ability to structure her songs in terms of genre and language choice. The title track reveals a louder side of Semones, starting gently before transitioning into a powerful middle section, embodying a more straightforward indie style but ending with flamenco touches.
In contrast, ‘Donguri’ presents a more traditional jazz sound centered on acoustic guitar and double bass. It’s a soft, beautiful piece that highlights her versatility and the skill of her accompanying band, whom she recorded live with for the first time on this album.
Mei Semones solidifies her rising prominence with ‘Animaru’, an exciting and eclectic debut that reflects a maturity beyond that of a first-time artist. The mix of languages and genres could unsettle some musicians, but Semones seems comfortable in both serene, introspective moments and energetic bursts. This debut captures much of the anticipation surrounding her and builds excitement for her future endeavors as a remarkable talent.
8/10
Words: Christopher Connor
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Mei Semones has quickly established herself as a talent to keep an eye on, offering a captivating combination of jazz, indie rock, and j-pop. While it may seem like an unusual mix, it proves to be effective.