Sergio Sayeg (aka Sessa) follows the mesmerizing 2019 debut Grandeza with his sophomore project entitled Estrela Acesa that dropped last friday via Mexican Summer. While the first album explored the corporeal pleasures and gentle drunkenness of being in love, his new record gazes up to the heavens and ponders love both sensuous and spiritual, in the throes of its resultant hangover. Pointing to vivid references from his own country, creating a kind of post-tropicália dream, Sessa’s songs are sung in Portuguese, with visceral, sensual lyrics in the vein of Caetano Veloso, and the melodic flourishes of Jobim.

Just like in Grandeza, Estrela Acesa showcases a minimalistic arrangement rarely found in contemporary Brazilian music, more reminiscent of the bareness of Leonard Cohen, with sprinkles of free jazz. Touching melodies create a beautiful scenario of peaceful colors while his voice sings hipnotic poems in a languid way. Entranced by what he calls “the mess” of music - the accidental, tortuous nature of it, a path on which musicians and audiences alike can attain a higher purpose -, Sessa reaches us with another brilliant EP. Available on vinyl.

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