Mei Semones’ debut LP, Animaru (releasing May 2nd with Bayonet Records), had been highly anticipated since her critically acclaimed 2024 EP Kabutomushi, which notably got attention from Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea, who called it “an absolutely beautiful record.” Since the release of Kabutomushi, Semones has been featured on Rolling Stone’s “Artists You Need to Know,” Paste’s “Best of What’s Next,” and NME’s cover. With that much hype, Semones was under a massive amount of pressure to create something incredible with Animaru, and she delivered.
The album’s title, Animaru (the Japanese pronunciation of “animal”), is a tribute to the importance of instincts. Listening to the album, it is clear that Semones is trusting her instincts more than ever before, confidently leaning into more experimental, riskier musical concepts that pay off because of her deftly skilled vocals and instrumentation. In regards to her musical self-assurance, Semones said “no second-guessing, no overthinking. The way I want to live my life is by doing the things that are important to me, and I think everyone should live that way.” This attitude is clear throughout Animaru, which bursts with youthful vibrancy and introspection on the things that matter. Semones beautifully blends musical elements from bossa nova, jazz, samba, chamber pop, and rock with her distinctive velvety vocals, creating a sound steeped in musical traditions that feels completely new.
Thematically, Animaru stands out because it focuses on something other than the ever-present romantic love song. Instead, this album is all about platonic love in all its forms, from familial relationships to the love of music. One example of this is “Zarigani” (which translates to “crayfish”), a song about the reliable love of a twin sister. The sweet sentiment of this track is tempered with bold guitars that kick in just when the song is at its sparest and softest, creating interest and edge.
“Dumb Feeling,” the album opener, is another favourite track with its infectious blend of bossa nova and samba along with Semones’ melodic vocals. The composition intertwines sounds that would feel at home in a New York club in the 1950s with what you would expect to hear at a contemporary indie rock show, and Semones’ unique vocal track ties it all together. “Dumb Feeling” is a meditation on Semones’ life in New York and how much she loves it, even when it’s hard, which is beautifully encapsulated by the lines “love when the train comes to my stop / I won’t try to fight it / Let the dust settle on me / I’ll stay still just to spite it.”
Animaru is an absolute triumph and a testament to Semones’ instincts, professionalism, and ingenuity as a musician.