‘Cheap Poetry’ is the duo’s latest single, taking their artistry to a new level
Shoegaze has been in need of a reimagining for a long time — and Mayah Alkhetari and Sega Bodega, the minds behind Kiss Facility, have truly breathed new life into the genre. Moving it beyond its long-standing sad white boy with a bad posture reputation (for the ones who haven’t been mansplained by their music nerd situationship, ‘shoegaze’ comes from guitar players always shyly looking down at their pedalboards), the duo preserves the genre’s most beautiful qualities of ephemerality and dreamlike haze — while infusing it with spiritual inquiry, esoteric symbolism, and a lingering emotional gravity. Their sound is further elevated by Mayah’s references to ancestral Arabic linguistic and melodic traditions, alongside Sega’s gift for subtle yet impactful electronic production. Yesterday, the duo announced their upcoming album KHAZNA, set for release at the end of the month, and unveiled its first single, “Cheap Poetry.”
The video for the single transports you to a hushed tea ceremony, punctuated by goosebump-inducing whispers from Mayah to Sega. It’s an intimate, immersive experience — one that sucks you into their world, both as an invisible observer and an active participant. Carried by the chemistry of two extraordinary artists, the track wades through a misty, obscure, and sensuous landscape.
This is a perfect peek into their forthcoming album, which promises to be even more experimental, leaning into playfulness in moments and into brooding melancholia in others. Kiss Facility dive deeper into the genre, discovering new underwater territories and pulling us under with them, willingly submerged in their evolving sonic universe.
Image courtesy of the artist
Words by Evita Shrestha
