Mei Semones Announces Second Album Howl and Extensive North American Tour, Shares Lead Single

Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones has officially announced the upcoming release of her second full-length album, titled Howl. The eagerly anticipated record serves as the direct follow-up to her widely discussed 2025 coming-of-age debut album, Animaru, which helped establish her unique voice in the independent music scene. Set to arrive on January 15, Howl marks a significant milestone in the artist’s career as her very first release under her new recording home with prestigious labels Verve and Interscope.

Alongside the album announcement, Semones has released the record’s titular lead single, accompanied by a visually striking music video directed by Takuto Shimpo. The accompanying video was filmed on location in and around a bustling Tokyo convenience store, capturing a blend of everyday urban realism and the distinct artistic atmosphere that has come to define Semones’ creative output. Fans can view the newly released video through official digital platforms as anticipation builds for the album’s full arrival in January.

The inspiration behind the album’s focal point and title track stems from a deeply atmospheric and personal memory. Semones wrote the song following a Fourth of July celebration in her Brooklyn neighborhood. As celebratory fireworks erupted overhead, filling the night sky with loud bursts and flashes of color, the sudden commotion unexpectedly incited a chorus of neighborhood dog howls that echoed down the block. This striking auditory snapshot left a lasting impression on the songwriter, prompting profound reflections on the nature of artistic expression and communication.

Elaborating on the creative genesis of the project, Semones shared her thoughts in a detailed statement accompanying the album announcement. Sometimes making music feels akin to howling directly into the vastness of the universe, she noted, capturing the blend of solitude and yearning that often accompanies the songwriting process. She explained that she creates music simply because she genuinely likes doing so, describing the practice as something entirely instinctual to her core identity. At the same time, she acknowledged that this creative impulse serves a greater purpose, acting as a bridge that connects her directly to people both near and far. Ultimately, she invites listeners to view the new body of work through that specific lens, describing the entire collection of songs as her personal howl sent out into the world.

To support the release of Howl, Semones has also scheduled a comprehensive North American tour that will bring her intricate arrangements and captivating live performances to numerous cities across the continent. The extensive itinerary is set to kick off on February 24, taking Semones and her music to prominent venues in cultural hubs such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and her cherished hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where local supporters will have a special opportunity to welcome her back.

The complete tracklist for Howl features eleven distinct compositions that showcase her expanding sonic palette. The album opens with the title track "Howl," followed by a track featuring Japanese text rendered as 瞬きをするとき裏窓. The sequence continues with "2 Hands," "Akumu," "Chichibu," "Towards Manhattan," "Senro," "Hoteru," "Korokke," "Monster," and concludes with the final track, "Kira Kira."

The tour schedule spans several months, beginning with a special performance scheduled for October 15 in New York, NY at the renowned Lincoln Center. Following the album’s January release and the official tour launch in late February, Semones will perform in Boston, MA at The Sinclair on February 24; Portland, ME at SPACE on February 25; Montréal, Québec at Theatre Fairmount on February 26; and Toronto, Ontario at the Concert Hall on February 27. Notably, several of these early dates will feature support from Aron!

As the tour moves into March, Semones will perform in Ann Arbor, MI at The Ark on March 1; Chicago, IL at Thalia Hall on March 2; Cleveland, OH at Mahall’s on March 3; Philadelphia, PA at Union Transfer on March 5; and New York, NY at Webster Hall on March 6. Following a brief break, the spring leg of the tour will commence in April, bringing the artist to Washington, DC at the 9:30 Club on April 9; Carrboro, NC at Cat’s Cradle on April 10; Atlanta, GA at Terminal West on April 11; and Nashville, TN at Third Man Records on April 13.

The itinerary continues westward into Texas, with stops scheduled at the Texas Theatre in Dallas on April 15; White Oak Upstairs in Houston on April 16; and the Mohawk in Austin on April 17. Moving further west, Semones will play in Tucson, AZ at La Rosa on April 20; San Diego, CA at the Music Box on April 21; Los Angeles, CA at the Fonda Theatre on April 23; and San Francisco, CA at The Castro on April 24.

The Pacific Northwest and Canadian dates include a performance at the Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR on April 26; the Commodore in Vancouver, British Columbia on April 27; and the Neptune Theatre in Seattle, WA on April 28. The tour then loops back through the Mountain West and Midwest, stopping at the Shrine Basement in Boise, ID on April 30; Kilby in Salt Lake City, UT on May 1; the Bluebird in Denver, CO on May 2; the Bottleneck in Lawrence, KS on May 4; Off Broadway in St. Louis, MO on May 5; The Burl in Lexington, KY on May 6; Ace of Cups in Columbus, OH on May 7; and finally concluding the current spring itinerary at Spirit Hall in Pittsburgh, PA on May 8.