Review: Céline Dessberg "Selenge" & "Chintamani"

Céline Dessberg’s 7" release is a delicate blend of tradition and modernity, emboldened by her masterful touch on the Mongolian yatga. A singer-songwriter and instrumentalist of Mongolian and French descent, Dessberg’s musical identity is strongly rooted in the intersection of her two cultures. A-Side track "Selenge" takes its name from the northern-flowing Mongolian river, and the fluidity and movement within the composition seem to mirror the melodic rush of flowing water. 

“Selenge” lives in the space between Dessberg’s two worlds. A mellow yet groove-infused instrumental, it’s the perfect companion for peaceful evenings spent cooking, long drives through the countryside, or strolls through a scenic city. Having grown up in the forests and rolling landscapes of rural France, Dessberg carries a strong connection to nature—a sensibility that permeates her music. Despite relocating to the city, her music maintains that pastoral warmth that raised her, giving “Selenge” a depth that sets it apart from other laid-back jazz tunes. At the heart of it all is the yatga, whose delicate, enchanting tones shape the song’s rhythm. The instrument is Dessberg’s superpower, and in “Selenge” it serves as the song’s magnetic force. 

The yatga, a traditional Mongolian zither, has been played for centuries. Its sound is distinctly Mogolian, yet its many variations—different string numbers, shapes, sizes, and playing styles—reflect a country as vast and diverse as the instrument itself. Historically, the 12-stringed yatga was reserved for the monastery and ruling class, while commoners were limited to 10 strings. Today, the instrument is typically played with 21 strings, remaining a cornerstone of modern Mongolian music. 

Ancient yatga in the National Museum of Mongolia, Photo by Yastanovog

Dessberg’s relationship with the yatga began when her family gifted her one about five years ago, as she was first stepping into the world of music. Since then, it has become an important extension of her artistry. Her track “Yatqa” from her debut EP DO NOTHING was a dedication to the instrument, also incorporating a Mongolian singing style in homage to her ancient pastoral roots. Having initially taught herself music on the guitar, she brings a unique picking technique to the yatga, seamlessly translating its power to broader audiences in the process. 

In “Selenge", soft, sweet yatga tones intertwine effortlessly with jazzy percussion and a subtly bumping guitar, creating an enchanting and joyful groove that invites movement. Released on January 28, the track was recorded during the same sessions that produced her 2024 album Hödöö, a project equally worth exploring. As part of a 7"release with That's Love Records, Dessberg's B-Side, “Chintamani”, was released to streaming platforms on February 13—a track that, while still driven by the yatga’s melodic join, leans more melancholic in its beginning. Here, her dreamy vocals float over relaxed instrumentation, singing in Mongolian about an ancient Buddhist treasure. 

Both tracks are ethereal and feel deeply connected to nature, perhaps a reflection of Dessberg’s connection to both French and Mongolian rurality. Masterfully blending jazz, indie-soul, funk, and R&B, she bridges her Mongolian pastoral heritage with her Western European musical influences. With “Selenge” and “Chintamani”, Céline Dessberg has carved out a sound that is entirely her own. And I, for one, can’t wait to hear what she does next. 

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