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Mei Semones has released “2 Hands,” the second single from her forthcoming album Howl, following the title track. The song incorporates tabla and features lyrics in Japanese and English; its video shows Semones performing with her longtime bandmates.
Mei Semones has released “2 Hands,” the second single from her upcoming album Howl, accompanied by a music video showing her playing with her longtime bandmates. The song brings South Asian tabla into Semones’ blend of styles and features lyrics in both Japanese and English.
In its report, Stereogum described “2 Hands” as a song in which Semones expresses devotion to music. The publication noted the track’s tabla and the combination of languages in its lyrics. Its account characterizes the sound as part of Semones’ existing cross-genre approach, rather than presenting the new single as a departure from it.
The video features Semones performing with Ransom McCafferty, Noah Leong, Claudius Agrippa and Noam Tanzer, whom the report identifies as her longtime bandmates. Semones said the video was intended to reflect the experience of playing with them and highlight their musicianship. Jacob Rodier directed the video, according to Semones’ comments quoted by Stereogum.
Howl is Semones’ follow-up to her debut album, Animaru, and her first release for Verve/Interscope, Stereogum reported. The new album’s title track came out the month before “2 Hands,” according to the report. Stereogum listed the album’s release date as January 15 and said it was available for preorder, but did not provide a year in the supplied material.
A New Preview of Howl
“2 Hands” gives listeners another indication of how Semones is shaping Howl ahead of the album’s release. The addition of tabla is a specific detail in the single’s arrangement, while the Japanese- and English-language lyrics continue to make language part of the song’s presentation. The track’s release also extends the album’s advance campaign beyond its title song.
The video puts the band at the center of the song’s presentation, matching Semones’ stated aim to show what it is like to perform with her collaborators. For listeners deciding whether to follow the album, the single offers a preview of both the recording’s musical palette and the group performing around it. The source does not provide sales figures, chart results or audience data, so the release’s commercial response cannot yet be assessed.
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From Animaru to Howl
Stereogum previously named Semones an Artist to Watch, citing her debut album Animaru. The publication described that record as combining jazzy guitar, bossa nova rhythms, chamber-pop arrangements and indie-rock elements. That description supplies context for “2 Hands”: the new single’s tabla part adds another identified element to a sound the outlet has characterized as stylistically varied.
Semones announced Howl and shared its title track before releasing “2 Hands,” according to Stereogum’s report. The new song is therefore the second preview identified in the supplied source. The report frames the album as her first for Verve/Interscope, marking a label change from her debut-era release; it does not give further detail about the circumstances of that deal.
““Everyone in my band is such an incredible musician and I feel so lucky and grateful to play with them, and that’s what this song is about!””
— Mei Semones, as quoted by Stereogum
Album Date and Release Details
The supplied report gives January 15 as the release date for Howl but does not specify the year. It also does not include a track list, album length, additional release plans or details about the recording process. Those points cannot be confirmed from the available source material.
The report describes the video and credits its director through Semones’ statement, but does not provide a separate production note or further information about the crew. No chart performance, streaming totals or audience response for “2 Hands” are included.
Awaiting the Howl Release
The next stated milestone is the release of Howl, which Stereogum listed for January 15. Because the source does not identify the year, readers should check the artist’s or label’s current release information for the confirmed date. The album was described as available to preorder when the report was published.
Until the full album arrives, “2 Hands” and the previously released title track remain the available previews cited in the report. Further singles, video releases or schedule updates were not announced in the supplied material.
Key Questions
What is “2 Hands”?
“2 Hands” is a single by Mei Semones and the second song released ahead of her upcoming album, Howl, according to Stereogum.
What instruments or styles are highlighted in the song?
Stereogum notes the use of South Asian tabla. The outlet places the song within Semones’ broader mix of styles, which it has described as including jazz, bossa nova, chamber pop and indie rock.
Who appears in the music video?
The video shows Semones playing with her longtime bandmates Ransom McCafferty, Noah Leong, Claudius Agrippa and Noam Tanzer. Semones said she wanted it to reflect making music with them.
When does Howl come out?
Stereogum’s report lists the release date as January 15, but the supplied material does not name the year. Check current artist or label announcements for the applicable date.
Is Howl Mei Semones’ debut album?
No. The report identifies Animaru as Semones’ debut album and Howl as its follow-up. It says Howl is her first album for Verve/Interscope.
Source: stereogum.com
