Sega Bodega & Mayah Alkhateri Redefine Shoegaze

Sega Bodega, known for producing for alt-pop artists, has embarked on a new venture with Emirati-Egyptian singer-songwriter Mayah Alkhateri. Their collaboration, Kiss Facility, fuses Arabic-language singing with shoegaze and contemporary club pop, yielding unexpected and beautiful results. The pair connected online, with Bodega agreeing to collaborate on the condition that Alkhateri would only sing in Arabic.

Drawing inspiration from bands like Slowdive and artists such as Enya, Alkhateri focused on conveying universal emotions through her voice, even without English lyrics. Their debut album, "KHAZNA," released recently, offers a blend of shoegaze, new wave, alternative, and hyperpop elements. Alkhateri's vocals, layered with reverb, navigate non-Western scales, creating a mystical auditory experience.

The album's lyrics delve into devotional and classical themes of all-consuming love, often featuring the word "heart" numerous times. Tracks like "Absent From My Eyes" and "Flux" showcase Alkhateri's vocal range and the project's genre-bending approach. Kiss Facility has quickly become a favorite among New York club culture enthusiasts.