Aman Iman: Water Is Life

Tinariwen’s third album marked a definite shift towards a harder, more rock sound compared to the band’s previous two releases. Here, their typically sparse desert blues becomes fuller and more electrified: distorted guitar solos on standout “Assouf” are coupled with traditional, emotive call and response vocals and punctuated by handclap-like percussion, while "Matadjem Yinmixan" rolls forth with its propulsive rhythms and swirling guitars that give it a celebratory feel. Still, the record isn’t missing the more meditative, nostalgic atmospheres from Tinariwen’s earlier days, particularly on the lovely closer “Izarharh Tenere,” which will transport you right to a desert campfire, under a vast expanse of stars.