Popmatters Calls The New Tinariwen LP “A Particularly Well-Polished Jewel” And Awards It With 9/10 Stars

Tinariwen, which Popmatters says is arguably “the foremost band to put modern music of Saharan nomads on the map,” is back. Popmatters says the collective’s newest LP Amadjar is a testament to a group that “has continued to face hatred with grace, skill, and admirable persistence.” Moreover, they’ve embraced musical adventurism, continuing to expand their sound. Writes Popmatters, “Guest artists include multi-instrumentalist and Nick Cave collaborator Warren Ellis, Mauritanian griots Noura Mint Seymali and Jeiche Ould Chighaly, drone doom artist Stephen O’Malley, Particle Kid’s Micah Nelson, experimental rock icon Rodolphe Burger, and acoustic mainstay of the DIY scene Cass McCombs. This all-star cornucopia adds new texture to the style Tinariwen has developed and refined so well, that outlaw country twang-meets-stinging blues rock-meets-desert psychedelia that immediately identifies a group as part of this particular Sahara scene.”

Read the full, glowing review here, and get Amadjar – this week’s most-added record at NACC World – spinning now.