Description
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Sessa, a veteran figure in both Brazilian and American music landscapes, has notably shifted his musical approach in his latest album, ‘Pequena Vertigem de Amor,’ with its release in 2025. Sessa, also known as Sergio Sayeg, has long been recognized for his intimate and mysterious lyrical style akin to esteemed artists such as Tom Jobim. Nevertheless, he has recoined his sound remarkably in his third album. Instead of offering a lush sound, common in modern Brazilian music, his composition now inclines towards the bare minimalism akin to Leonard Cohen’s music.
Arguably, the transformation in Sessa’s music has been fascinating to observe. He began exploring private desires in his first album, ‘Grandeza,’ released in 2019. His musical journey then continued and expanded to survey the dynamism of love and human connections in ‘Estrela Acesa’ in 2022. However, his latest creation, ‘Pequena Vertigem de Amor,’ encapsulates his personal evolution intimately. It represents a significant shift of gaze towards the seemingly infinite cosmos, portraying the universality of intimate experiences such as becoming a father.
Continuing his ascension in the music world, Sessa’s musical language evolves with a change in his personal life. The transformation is visible as music subtly moves from the forefront to become an intrinsic part of his existence. His connection with music has become more intimate and complex, harmoniously blending with the rhythms of daily life. This progression, much like Brazilian contemporaries like Erasmo Carlos and Hyldon, has found resonance and soulful inspiration in North American influences like Shuggie Otis, Roy Ayers, and Sly Stone.
Noted for his unique performances featuring a female choir and Afro-Brazilian percussion, Sessa has taken a divergent path in ‘Pequena Vertigem de Amor.’ His sound spectrum expanded, evidencing new instruments like the synthesizer and a primitive drum machine alongside rhythm-enhancing guitar melodies. This exploration of sonority embodies a fresh, brisk tempo suggestive of Sessa’s adapted vocal textures and cadences. Sessa’s traditional Brazilian fingerpicking style has also transformed, being replaced by new rhythmic guitar strumming techniques.
Sessa’s broadening musical scope has also successfully encompassed elements native to São Paulo’s samba jazz, thanks to the rhythmic contribution of Marcelo Maita. This collaborative effort on the album allows Sessa’s music to navigate through intense moments of transformation, mirroring his personal life’s upheavals. Much like the cosmic depth captured by the São Paulo indie trio O Terno, ‘Pequena Vertigem de Amor’ resonates with genuine emotion, practically palpable in the hauntingly engaging pieces.
The nine tracks in ‘Pequena Vertigem de Amor’ depict Sessa’s metamorphosis both personally and musically. These songs reveal the innate complexity of life, stimulating the listener’s thoughts while providing soothing musical reprieve. This album, of Sessa, reminds us of the captivating yet disorienting spectacle of life’s milestones – both trivial and momentous.
