Since the international emergence of the Malian group Tinariwen in the early 2000s, Tuareg rock has established itself as a staple of world music, revealing astonishing artists capable of combining the energy of rock and the exoticism of the Sahara.
Of the lot, Nigerien Mdou Moctar is by far the most punk of them all, and his new album is no exception. Funeral for Justice is a real political and musical firestorm. As on his previous offering (Africa Victim), the singer-guitarist echoes a new generation of West Africans, who are demanding the final decolonization of their territory. This could not be clearer with the title song: “France’s actions are frequently veiled in cruelty/we are better off without this turbulent relationship/it is high time to understand the endless deadly games in which it plays », sings Moctar.
The piece Oh France clearly goes in the same direction. Uncompromising texts, therefore, just like the music, which could be described as desert rock on the speed.
Supported by the grooves and Arabic melodies typical of the genre, Mdou Moctar confirms its status as guitar hero spectacular, drawing as much from Hendrix as from 1980s metal like Eddie Van Halen. Be warned. You have to love distortion, virtuosity and endless solos. Moctar thick butter and hits hard. We come away from this album dizzy, even flat-footed… Deep down, maybe that’s what he was looking for.
Extract of Funeral for Justice
Tuareg rock
Funeral for Justice
Mdou Moctar
Matador