Mei Semones earned Artist To Watch status for last year's debut album Animaru, a fine showcase for the guitarist and singer-songwriter's eclectic sound. Semones is ready to offer up more music this spring in the form of the Kurage EP. The record includes three songs, each one with a featured guest: Liana Flores, John Roseboro, and Don Semones, who presumably is Mei's relation.
Lead single "Koneko" is a duet with Flores, Semones' British-Brazilian peer. Brimming with life, it leans into the jazzy, bossa-nova-inflected side of her work, its high-pitched vocal melodies dancing alongside playful, virtuosic guitar work. It's charming. Semones offers some background:
I wrote this song about my first time in London in April of 2025. I was staying with Liana, and the imagery in the lyrics is inspired by our time together: we walked along the canal, drank tea, ate strawberries and cookies, played with her cat, and went to the park to look at the birds :) I hope that the song will make people smile and remind them of the pureness of a good friend <3”
Directed by Shota Shiratori in London, the "Koneko" video features Semones and Flores enjoying that friendship. Watch below.
TRACKLIST:
01 "Koneko" (Feat. Liana Flores)
02 "Tooth Fairy" (Feat. John Roseboro)
03 "Kurage" (Feat. Don Semones)
Kurage is out 4/10 via Bayonet. Pre-order it here.
