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Animaru Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: The debut full-length release from Brooklyn-based indie artist Mei Semones features influences of bossa nova, chamber pop, indie rock and jazz.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. May 12, 2025
    90
    Throughout Animaru, Semones and her band play with dynamics, dramatic pauses, chord voicings, harmonics, and a steady stream of surprises -- the closer is a waltz -- resulting in a memorable debut that's much more likely to delight than challenge.
  2. May 12, 2025
    82
    Animaru is as gorgeous as can be, and undeniably triumphant as a debut. Mei’s music has all the exuberance of a sprint imbued with the mindfulness of sitting with your eyes closed; it fits just about every occasion. “There’s something I like about it” indeed.
  3. May 12, 2025
    80
    It’s a debut that captures so much of the excitement surrounding her, whetting appetites for the next steps from a potent talent.
  4. May 14, 2025
    80
    An album that has clearly been constructed with immense care, ‘Animaru’ makes Mei’s supreme efforts crystal clear.
  5. May 13, 2025
    76
    Few moments on Animaru are conventional and, in a world full of boring trends and rabid overconsumption, we could all benefit from taking a page out of Mei Semones’ playbook.
  6. May 12, 2025
    75
    Animaru has no duds but also no true stand-outs, shining most when Semones takes on the unexpected—suggesting a more idiosyncratic artist underneath all the virtuosity and polish.