Album Review: Sega Bodega’s ‘Dennis’ – A Deep Dive into Experimental Sound and Personal Liberation
RATING: 8/10 – GREAT Album
The sought-after Paris-based artist and producer Sega Bodega has released his eagerly awaited third album, Dennis, available digitally today. A special vinyl edition of the album will also be released on May 6th.
Sega Bodega has unveiled plans for an extensive tour across North America, the UK, and the EU this autumn, following a busy summer of festival performances. The tour will make stops in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Montreal, and New York. Full tour details and ticket information are provided below.
“Dennis” captures the essence of a day that blurs into a dream-like state, with each track seamlessly flowing into the next, drawing the listener deeper into a state akin to REM sleep. This album embodies the sensation of an elusive awakening.
Despite his abstract and enigmatic lyrics and storytelling, Sega Bodega’s personal reflections subtly surface throughout the album. “Set Me Free I’m An Animal” offers a haunting twist on folk music, with monastic vocals that evoke a sense of horror. Initially inspired by the viewpoint of a dog yearning for escape, the narrative evolves into a broader expression of the complex desire to leave a relationship.
“Dennis” serves both introspective moments and dance floor energy. For instance, “Adulter8” starts with the sound of an 8-bit alarm clock and transitions into a mesmerizing, drop-heavy dance track. Another highlight, “Elk Skin,” features vocalist Cecile Believe and blends euphoric highs with Mediterranean guitar rhythms and deep, rhythmic chanting.
Each track on the album is inspired by a distinctive image or story. “Deer Teeth” draws from the discovery of a Mesolithic burial in Vedbæk, Denmark, where a woman and her newborn, who died during childbirth, were found with 200 deer teeth and the baby cradled in a swan’s wing. This track, featuring Mayah Alkhateri of Kiss Facility, weaves sweet melodies into a chilling, metallic sound that feels both futuristic and ancient.
Navarrete also celebrates his Chilean-Irish heritage in his music. His production for Caroline Polachek’s “Sunset” featured warm Mediterranean guitars and vibrant handclaps. On “Dennis,” he incorporates these elements into his own work, particularly on the track “Tears and Sighs,” which reimagines these rhythms through a nocturnal perspective, culminating in a trance-like crescendo complemented by dark acoustic guitars. Check out “Adulter8” below:
