Kiss Facility

Ever since the heyday of Haifa Wehbe, the modern Arab music scene has been waiting for a new embodiment of that feminine energy. Artists such as Mayah Alkhateri are filling this niche with a contemporary vigour. The Emirati-Egyptian musician, together with Salvadore Navarrete – better known as Sega Bodega – is the driving force behind Kiss Facility, a duo that combines shoegaze indie rock with haunting Arabic lyrics. Their latest album, ‘KHAZNA’ (meaning ‘safe’, ‘vault’ or ‘treasure chamber’), refers to everything that is kept hidden. The themes unfold through layered vocals and unexpected sounds, exploring vulnerable subjects such as love and liberation.