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| photo by Emily Gringorten |
My introduction to Brooklyn based Mei Semones happened on a recommendation. My friend Christian of Precious Human had played a show as part of Jane Lai's band and Mei Semones was on the bill. Described as a hybrid of bossa nova and indie rock with strings my interest was immediately piqued. While my experience listening to artists like Sondre Lerche, Rodrigo Amarante, and Marinero have all demonstrated how fruitful and unique bossa nova influence can be filtered through a indie rock lens, Mei Semones is doing something entirely different than what I expected. A student of the Berklee College of Music, Semones music in an intriguing blend of jazz, bossa nova, rock and her Japanese heritage with most of her songs consisting of lyrics in both English and Japanese. Add in the string arrangements by violist Noah Leung and Semones achieves a truly arresting blend of sounds - everything working in an intricate concert.
Beginning with "Hfoas", her debut single released back in March of 2020, Semones sound arrived incredibly flushed out and clear of intention. Each subsequent release - her Tsukino and Sukikirai EPs have only solidified the strength of Semones skills. Despite the interchangeability of Japanese and English in Semones' music, there's rarely ever any meaning lost. Semones volleys between evocative imagery and pure emotion.
"Okashi", the first single from Semones double single Shinju released last October was an immediate favorite. Starting from a whisper and filled with brilliant swells, "Okashi" is a lovelorn ballad that really encapsulates the multitude of ways Semones and her band are perfectly complementary. From underscoring her lyrics, to providing dramatic flourishes, "Okashi" is a dynamic masterpiece. Even its video directed by Evan Deng, demonstrates how fully realized Mei Semones concepts are. Juxtaposing Semones in white during the more infatuated parts of the song with darker costuming for when Semones delivers lines like "Grit your teeth, you don't want to hear me scream".
There are few bands that arrive with such an incredibly strong sense of self as Mei Semones. And their songs and visuals are all the more better for it. It's exciting to hear an artist who is able to pull from such an eclectic blend of influences and distill it into something that doesn't quite give away exactly what they are. But most importantly, Semones creates music that is an utter delight to listen to. It's methodical, well-crafted without appearing to be overly so. It's vulnerable and emotive without being overly sentimental or saccharine. Semones' music is wonderfully balanced and here's hoping there's tons more where that's come from.
Listen to Mei Semones latest double single Shinju here: