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Mei Semones has released “2 Hands,” the second single from her forthcoming album Howl, following the album’s title track. The song features tabla and lyrics in Japanese and English, while its video shows Semones performing with her longtime bandmates. Howl is scheduled for Jan. 15 on Verve/Interscope.
Mei Semones has released “2 Hands,” the second single from her upcoming album Howl, with a music video centered on her playing alongside her longtime band. The track adds South Asian tabla to Semones’ guitar-led mix and follows the album’s title track, which she shared the previous month, according to Stereogum.
“2 Hands” combines tabla with the jazz, bossa nova, chamber-pop and indie-rock influences associated with Semones’ music. Its lyrics move between Japanese and English and express devotion to music. In the words quoted by Stereogum, the song’s narrator offers “my two hands” and “my whole heart,” describing a path that continues for as long as she lives.
The accompanying video features Semones performing with Ransom McCafferty, Noah Leong, Claudius Agrippa and Noam Tanzer, her longtime bandmates. Semones told Stereogum she wanted the video to capture what it feels like to make music with them and to highlight their musicianship. She also thanked director Jacob Rodier and the rest of the video team.
Howl is scheduled for Jan. 15 and is Semones’ first album for Verve/Interscope, as reported by Stereogum. The source gives the release date without a year. “2 Hands” follows the album’s title-track single, released the month before the new song.
A Second Look at Howl
The release gives listeners another indication of the musical range Semones is bringing to Howl. Where the title track introduced the album’s next phase, “2 Hands” adds tabla and bilingual lyrics while keeping the focus on her songwriting and ensemble. These details point to a record drawing on more than one musical tradition, though the available report does not describe the full album or its track list.
The video also puts the band’s contribution in view, rather than presenting the song solely as a solo performance. Semones’ explanation connects the clip’s focus on her bandmates to the song’s subject: her gratitude for playing music with them. For listeners following the album’s rollout, the single and video offer both a new track and a clearer picture of the group behind its performance.
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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 heft. That description provides context for “2 Hands,” whose use of tabla adds another element to a blend the outlet characterized as idiosyncratic but polished.
Semones announced Howl and shared its title track the month before “2 Hands,” according to the report. The forthcoming album is her first for Verve/Interscope. The source identifies the title track and “2 Hands” as singles but does not provide additional details about the album’s complete contents.
““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, quoted by Stereogum
Release Details Still Missing
The report lists Jan. 15 as Howl’s release date but does not specify the year, so the date cannot be placed more precisely from the supplied information. It also does not give the album’s full track list, recording details, or additional release plans. Those details should not be inferred from the single’s announcement.
Howl’s Scheduled Release
The next stated milestone is the release of Howl on Jan. 15 through Verve/Interscope. Stereogum said the album was available for preorder, but its report does not specify a year for the release date or identify further confirmed singles. Until the label or Semones provides more information, the album date and these two tracks are the clearest details available about the rollout.
Key Questions
What is Mei Semones’ “2 Hands”?
“2 Hands” is the second single from Semones’ upcoming album Howl. It features tabla and lyrics in Japanese and English.
When is Howl scheduled to come out?
The report gives a release date of Jan. 15 on Verve/Interscope, but does not state the year.
Who appears in the “2 Hands” video?
The video shows Semones playing with her longtime bandmates Ransom McCafferty, Noah Leong, Claudius Agrippa and Noam Tanzer. Jacob Rodier directed it.
What is “2 Hands” about?
Semones said the song is about her gratitude for making music with her band. Its lyrics express devotion to music, according to the Stereogum report.
Which album comes before Howl?
Animaru is Semones’ debut album. Stereogum described its sound as blending jazzy guitar, bossa nova, chamber pop and indie rock.
Source: stereogum.com
