Album Review: Sen Morimoto Is Sen Morimoto

The first time I heard Sen Morimoto, I was like, “ooOOoOoOoO! This is good, but also different!” From Billie Eilish to The Weeknd, there are artists whom are an amalgamation of influences that is so distinct they become original. You can hear splashes of pop, folk, jazz, rock, R&B, and Motown across eras in Sen Morimoto’s self-titled sophomore album, out October 23.

With songs such as, “Jupiter,” “Save,” and “Goosebumps,” there is a universality to Sen Morimoto’s music. From “Love, Money” to “Nothing Isn’t Very Cool,” he builds a soundscape that goes from cosmic to Kantian through his verses. He is not just putting short stories into songs, he is also giving philosophical blips. He stars and stirs his sonic backdrops to approach themes of apathy, empathy, and the way passion fuses and rejects them. The irony is that his lush voice feels pretty chill for a guy singing to being sentimental.
Sen Morimoto – Deep Down ft. AAAMYYY (Official Video)

Sen Morimoto’s record  feels vast in its production but centered around his perspective life and what it means to FEEL it. Vocally, he feels roses and petaled like soft, red velvet growing from the earth. Such grounded beauty is felt in songs like, “Woof” and “You Come Around,” where Sen Morimoto balances wit and depth. He can make you feel as light as a coffee run and as immersed in love as if you fell for it on your way. Such a dynamic places Sen Morimoto on a list he is usually on: an artist to watch.