Review: Tsukino 月の by Mei Semones
Photo by Alec Redding
Mei Semones is an incredible alternative J-Pop artist hailing from Boston, MA creating captivating stories through the catchy melodies. On January 21, 2022, Mei released her first EP which is a perfect testament of her capability as an artist. Mei combines her long lasting background with music — especially jazz — with her Japanese heritage to create melodic songs in both Japanese and English.
The EP, Tsukino 月の, begins with a jazzy, dancy take off. “Yoake 夜明け” draw you in with every note as Mei’s delicate voice spins around gracefully to create melodic patterns. Her gentle voice entwines perfectly with the upbeat and graceful instrumentation created by the violin, guitar, upright bass, and drums.
The second track “Kodoku 孤独” sounds like a lullaby. It’s a slow, intimate, and smooth performance that encapsulates the listener with emotion. She gently sings:
“Cuz I don’t wanna be another thing
that you will forget about
I don’t wanna be one of those names
that you can never recall”
The longing in her voice is precise and palpable.
The title track “Tsukino 月の” is a soft poem, dreamily singing:
“蛍の 光を 追って迷った
銀色の 月の夜 あたしの
声 出ない 花びらの子
君の手 君”
Which translates to:
“I got lost chasing the light of the fireflies
The night of the silver moon
My voice is gone, flower petal fairy
Your hand”
If one were to throw this song into an environment, it would be easy to imagine it on a camping trip, illuminated in a lantern light, laying on the forest floor and stargazing. It would be a nighttime story whispered into the atmosphere.
The single release for the EP was “Muchuu 夢中”, another jazzy tune that makes you want to grab someone you love and spin them around. Similarly to other songs on the EP, this one sounds like longing, like seeing a flower and picking off the petals while contemplating if your love is requited. This single was accompanied with a music video that takes you on a loop of a journey. The video, directed by Family Video Store, shows a bright, innocent Mei being chased down by a darker figure who seems to have become obsessed with her to a morbid point. The video gives a new connotation to the song that is skillfully executed.
Finally, the EP ends with a demo version of her first single, “Hfoas”. In this slowed down version of her debut single, the EP is brought to a calming end. Circling again around the theme of longing, she sings:
“There is no one else for me
No one else for me
Other than you”
Mei is a musical force to be reckoned with. The combination of poetic lyrics, elegant instrumentation, and crisp production makes it easy to hit the repeat button after every song. Mei Semones has big and beautiful things in store.
Mei created a playlist of songs that inspired Tsukino 月の! Give it a listen below.