Mei Semones
CL RECOMMENDS
CRITIC’S PICK
Mon., June 2
Mei Semones, Aisle 5: Young, up and coming Brooklyn-based indie jazz guitarist Semones mixes tropicalia with bossa nova and indie folk/rock for a unique, always intriguing, sometimes edgy concoction that nevertheless goes down easy. Her girlish voice, astounding guitar skills and often winding, experimental songs veer towards pop but never stagnate there. Cool, complex, quirky and extremely talented, she’ll play tunes from her recently released debut full-length Animaru. — Hal Horowitz
From the venue:
“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,” says Mei Semones of her strengthened self-assurance. Through continuously honing in on her signature fusion of indie rock, bossa nova, jazz and chamber pop in a way that highlights her technical prowess on guitar, the 24-year-old Brooklyn-based songwriter and guitarist is quickly establishing herself as an innovative musical force. Since the release of her acclaimed 2024 Kabutomushi EP, a series of lushly orchestrated reflections on love in its many stages, Mei has gone on to tour extensively across the US, cultivate a dedicated following, and write and record her highly anticipated debut album, Animaru. Inspired by the Japanese pronunciation of the word “animal” in Japanese, Animaru is the embodiment of Mei’s deeper trust in her instincts – a collection of musically impressive tracks that see Mei sounding more adventurous, more vulnerable and more confident than ever before.
Mei Semones | 06/02/2025 8:00 PM