TINARIWEN - Hoggar

It's a long story, that of Tinariwen. A tale of wars and oppression that never seems to end, a powerful act of resistance by the long-suffering Tuareg people.

The recent clashes on Mali's northern border are at the heart of "Hoggar", the band's tenth album and yet another denunciation of violated human rights and lands torn apart by violence and oppression. The latest Tinariwen record is also an occasion for a handover between generations, with numerous new recruits involved alongside the three historic members: Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni and Touhami Ag Alhassane.

"Hoggar" was recorded in Algeria, the nomadic group's current base, following the violent coup in Mali that further armed the murderous hand of al-Qaeda followers, Russian mercenaries and Islamist terrorists. It's an album that marks a return to the more tribal nature of their early work, also notable for the absence of a big-name producer and the return, after more than twenty years, of founding member Diarra.

The hypnotic, swaying desert blues marked by guitar arpeggios, syncopated rhythms and vocal harmonies sung in husky voices remain the defining traits of a music that has in the meantime become as intimate and familiar as it is evocative and visceral.

Tinariwen raise their voices toward their brothers, calling the many Tuareg tribes to unity in the urgent, scorching rock-blues of "Erghad Afewo", while in the tormented "Imidiwan Takyadam" a female chorus becomes the mouthpiece for a denunciation of the many abuses suffered by Muslim women — one of the album's most striking moments, made even more poetic by the presence of José González. The bare-bones sound of "Khay Erilan" is, by contrast, also the most joyous, but it isn't the only moment of hope on "Hoggar": it falls to Sudanese singer Sulafa Elyas to briefly chase away the shadows, intoning an enchanting traditional song, "Sagherat Assani".

The fact that, from the very first notes of "Amidinim Ehaf Solan", Tinariwen remain faithful to a sound they've long since perfected doesn't diminish the beauty of an album born in one of the most difficult moments for nomadic peoples; it's impossible, after all, not to notice the disorienting dissonances and jagged guitar work of the dark "N'ak Tenere Lyat", the funky groove of "Amidinin Wadar Nohar" and the apocalyptic desert-blues tone of "Tad Adounya" — small gems in an album of many artistic facets.

Always on the front line for the freedom of the Tuareg people, Tinariwen went from armed struggle alongside the Libyan people to waging war with guitars and voices, entrusting their music with a powerful message of freedom and independence, even at risk to their own lives. Time has worn down the body, but not the mind, and even though performing live is becoming increasingly difficult for Tinariwen, their music continues to speak of truth and justice, and "Hoggar" is yet another powerful cry of pain we cannot remain indifferent to.

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19/03/2026