Mei Semones has a new record on the way, and she’s bringing a werewolf to Tokyo to prove it. The indie artist’s second album, Howl, arrives Jan. 15 on Verve/Interscope, marking a major step up from her former label Bayonet. The title track is out now, and it’s the centerpiece of a video she shot in Japan with director Takuto Shimpo.
The album follows Animaru, her debut from last year, which earned her a spot on our Artist To Watch list. Semones has since grown her profile, and the new label partnership signals a bigger stage. The video for “Howl” captures that shift, with Semones playing a convenience store worker by day and a guitar-obsessed werewolf by night.
The Werewolf Concept
Semones described the video’s idea directly: “My idea for the video was ‘convenience’ store worker by day, guitar-obsessed werewolf at night, and I love how Takuto was able to perfectly bring that idea to life in this video.”
She also shot the video in Tokyo. “I was so happy I got to shoot the ‘Howl’ music video in Tokyo with Takuto Shimpo and his team,” she said.
The Song’s Opening Lines
The song itself opens with a striking admission: “Even if I give my everything it’s not enough / I don’t mind, I’ll do this every day until I turn to dust.” Those lines land in her usual theatrical whispers.
The Tracklist
Howl runs eleven tracks. Here’s the full running order:
| # | Track |
|---|---|
| 01 | “Howl” |
| 02 | “素直になりたい” |
| 03 | “2 Hands” |
| 04 | “Akumu” |
| 05 | “Chichibu” |
| 06 | “Towards Manhattan” |
| 07 | “Senro” |
| 08 | “Hoteru” |
| 09 | “Korokke” |
| 10 | “Monster” |
| 11 | “Kira Kira” |
The Tour Dates
Semones tours Oct. 15, 2026 through May 2027, with stops across the U.S. and Canada.
The itinerary includes a stretch in February and March that takes her from Boston to Portland, ME, Montreal, Toronto, Ann Arbor, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and back to New York. April brings shows in Washington, DC, Carrboro, NC, Atlanta, Nashville, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Tucson, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. May wraps up in Portland, OR, Vancouver, BC, Seattle, Boise, Salt Lake City, Denver, Lawrence, KS, St. Louis, MO, Lexington, KY, Columbus, OH, Pittsburgh, PA.
Aron! joins as support on most dates, marked with an asterisk on the official lineup.
What We Make Of It
Semones’s move to Verve/Interscope is a clear signal of intent. The label deal suggests confidence in her reach.
The video concept is playful and specific, and it matches the sound of the tune. A convenience store worker by day, a werewolf by night — that’s a concept that lands visually and musically.
The Bottom Line
Howl is out 1/15 on Verve/Interscope. The title track is available now, and the video is a great video.
Semones has earned this leap. The werewolf video proves she can still surprise, and the album promises a full arc of songs to back it up.
See the video the story is built around at Stereogum.
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