Just when it seemed “desert blues” had hit a too predictable groove, along comes this young troupe from northern Mali, formed after armed jihadis had forced them into exile. Teenage years glued to Hendrix and John Lee Hooker are as relevant to their sound as the folk songs and chants of the Songhoy (not Tuareg) people. They slide easily between modernism and tradition, raucous on Soubour (their introduction via 2013’s Africa Express), Talking Heads funky on Irganda, growlingly bluesy on Nick, contemplative and hypnotic on Wayei. Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs lends guitar touches and a clean, accessible production. A triumph.
