EGO: A FEARLESS, CONFIDENT DEBUT ALBUM FROM NAYA SEGO
When you blend the poetic, garage rock scene of London, the elegance of France, and the vibrant beats of Cameroonian music, you get Naya Sego, a young, genre-bending singer whose distinct musical attitude is characterized by rough drums and sharp, entrancing vocals and upbeat lyricism. The British-French Cameroonian singer brings a unique voice to the music scene, releasing her first EP EGO this year. The album showcases a wide range of stylistic choices, with a balance of groovy, alternative-pop inspired anthems and heartbreaking R&B-centered harmonies, pushing the boundaries of genre and creating a sound that is uniquely her own.
SHOWING OFF
Sego’s “Showing Off” offers a powerful introduction, highlighting unapologetic, confident lyricism that sets a positive outlook for the rest of the album. The melodious verses contrast the rich, percussion-heavy chorus, creating a sense of tension that is essential to conveying the message of the song. Through her striking lyricism, Sego describes her success as her “popping off,” directly addressing the discomfort others may feel towards her owning a space fully and unapologetically, and subtly nodding to her own quiet strength. A light bass strum ties together the entire song, instilling a sense of consistency paralleling the assertive lyrics throughout the song. “Showing Off” does more than introduce the album; it compels you to keep listening.
MEAN THAT SHIT
“Mean that Shit” begins with the raw, unfiltered sound of Sego’s breathing, an intimate detail creating an eccentric texture that contributes to the musical build up of the first half of the song. Sego’s entrancing vocals are complemented by the more complex instrumentation in this track, a soundscape consisting of piercing, strong electric guitar and layered, highlighting Sego’s gorgeous vocals in the foreground. Lyrically, Sego doesn’t hold back, utilizing the same confident energy of the previous track. Sego fearlessly addresses her adversaries, confronting dishonest and performative behavior, boldly asking if they “mean that shit.” The singer addresses them with power and poise, taking a powerful stance and committing to self respect and emotional maturity.
MOMMY MADE A MONSTER
Track 3, “Mommy Made a Monster,” is a 2000s alternative-pop reminiscent anthem, echoing the energy of that era in terms of edgy instrumentation, zesty tempo, and angsty vocals. Sego’s vocals are the star of the show in this song, with her vocal range dipping lower than any other track on the album, adding a quintessential depth and edge to the rebellious tone of the song. The pop-punk inspired instrumentation — layered guitars and striking drums — is further supplemented by the skillfully mastered production. “Mommy Made a Monster” also contains a significant lyrical component: the reference to the title of the album. Sego defiantly sings “My ego’s supersized”, affirming themes of self awareness, intrapersonal complexities and quiet strength.
FUCK UR FRIENDS
“Fuck Ur Friends” marks a distinct shift in the energy of the album, stripping back the boldness in the previous tracks to unveil a vulnerable song, equally matched in vibe by the muted instrumentation. Sego utilizes echoey, dream-like vocals instead of her fearless assertions, emphasizing her incredible vocal capabilities. The entire song is showered in a shadowy, hazy atmosphere, contrasting the confidence underlying the strong, powerful lyrics and production of the previous three songs. The juxtaposition gives us a window into the duality of Sego, unveiling a soft, vulnerable inside to her bold, confident shell. “Fuck Ur Friends,” despite its quieter presence, holds a heavy tension, peeling back what it means to be sensitive, feel betrayed and the unspoken loneliness that follows as a result. At face value, the song is gentle and soft, but its quiet meaning makes the track just as powerful as the previous three.
I DON’T THINK YOU GET IT
“I Don’t Think You Get It” has a quick sonic turnaround from the previous track, with an accelerated tempo and lighting speed vocals. The song features a riveting introduction, where percussive elements pick up and hold the beat, while the vocals simultaneously slow with a sense of careful intentionality; every word, phrase and breath is emphasized and calculated. A deep voice is layered behind Sego’s main vocals in the background, contrasting the lighter tone and quicker delivery. The vocal interplay emphasizes the strength of the chorus and accentuates the delivery and impact, further emphasizing Sego’s presence.
COPING
Sego’s track 6, “Coping,” is the slow, emotional ballad of the album. The track unravels with a slow, poetic build up, as Sego’s lyricism details the emotional weight of coping itself — the feeling of trying to hold oneself together in the depths of emotional pain — something many can resonate with. The track is stunning compositionally and lyrically, crafting a dreamy, immersive song filled with sounds that wrap around the listener like a hazy cloud. As the penultimate track, “Coping” was intentionally placed; the song keeps you hooked on the velvety, palpable feeling of Sego’s voice, making its placement set the stage and expectation for the reassurance and emotional self awareness found in “She’ll Be Okay.”
SHE’LL BE OKAY
“She’ll Be Okay” is another slow ballad in the album, but with a vastly different energy and message than the track before it. While “Coping” leans into vulnerability and the pain surrounding it, “She’ll Be Okay” serves as a softer, more tender track: a beautiful, heartfelt homage to Sego’s younger self. Her vocals are gentle yet firm, as if speaking to her inner child directly, holding space for the past version of herself while acknowledging how she’s grown, undeniably sending love to every version of herself. The instrumentation parallels her vocals, beginning soft and slowly yet steadily growing in production, as if helping Sego cement her message. The resulting song is a beautiful, raw anthem addressing aspects of the past, present, and future versions of herself, and Sego leaves the album off on a hopeful, anticipatory note.
On EGO, Sego does more than showcase her unique artistic presence — she weaves a brilliant, honest tale that is tangible throughout the content of her songs. Each track adds another layer to her complex, authentic story, with tracks like “Showing Off” and “Mean that Shit” highlighting her confident, unflinching exterior, while songs such as ”Coping” and “She’ll Be Okay” wrap up the album by revealing her vulnerable, self aware honesty. Sego addresses every element of her story in EGO with poise, compassion and conviction, all while highlighting varying components and inspirations of her genre bending sound. EGO is just the beginning of Sego’s sonic journey, and it hints at a future filled with bold lyricism, experimental sounds, emotional complexity and a voice that refuses to stay silent.
Keep up with Naya Sego:
Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram / TikTok / YouTube
