Mdou Moctar
Funeral For Justice
Matador Records [2024]
Album Overview: Mdou Moctar, a Nigerien musician and vocalist, formed the band Mdou Moctar, in which he plays guitar alongside rhythm guitarist Ahmoudou Madassane, drummer Souleymane Ibrahim, and American bassist and producer Mikey Coltun. Emerging from performing at traditional weddings, they gradually gained recognition for their energetic performances. Funeral For Justice is Mdou Moctar’s latest album, and second for Matador Records, following the excellent 2021 breakout Afrique Victime. Recorded after extensive touring, the album presents a louder, faster, and more politically charged sound. It addresses pressing issues such as terrorist violence in Africa and their home nation of Niger, plus the plight of the Tuareg people. The album marks a departure from previous releases, emphasizing urgency and aggression while maintaining Mdou Moctar’s signature blend of rock and traditional Tuareg music. Moctar already shined as a standout indie guitar player, but Funeral For Justice has him taking his guitar work to another level that is simply simmering every time he plays a chord. It is this aggressively loud approach combined with powerful messages that make this album a pure fascination to hear.
Musical Style: Mdou Moctar’s music blends traditional Tuareg rhythms and melodies with elements of rock, creating a unique and vibrant sound. Their music is characterized by hypnotic guitar riffs, driving percussion, and passionate harmonizing vocals, resulting in an electrifying experience.
Evolution of Sound: Over the years, Mdou Moctar’s sound has evolved from its traditional roots to incorporate heavier, more aggressive elements. While still rooted in Tuareg tradition, their latest album showcases a newfound urgency and political fervor, reflecting the band’s growth and maturation as artists. The album also has some of the cleanest production we have heard on a Moctar record, which has the fiery guitar sounding like it’s playing right in front of you!
Artists with Similar Fire: Mdou Moctar’s sound is reminiscent of other Tuareg rock bands such as Tinariwen and Bombino, who also blend traditional African music with modern rock influences. Their music shares a similar energy and spirit, drawing listeners into a hypnotic groove. Mdou Moctar’s guitar flare also has the same mesmerizing impact as watching a Jack White or Gary Clark Jr. wield the axe.
Pivotal Tracks: Key tracks from Funeral For Justice include the blistering title track, which addresses African leaders directly, urging them to take control of their countries and resources. “Oh France” confronts colonial legacies as the song almost hits the 6-minute mark, leaving so much canvas for stylistic transitions and a killer call-out back and forth vocal. “Takoba” is one of the mellower tracks on the record as it has a nice rhythm that is kept in line by hand claps, and you can almost envision the band out in the middle of nowhere playing this foot-tapper. “Imouhar” emphasizes the importance of preserving the Tamasheq language and has a really cool, almost lo-fi recording beginning that is a flashback to earlier albums, and then it is like Mdou Moctar walks through a different door and instantly comes out slinging big guitar attacks in full stereo. It is a memorable move that will have you coming back to this song!
Lyrical Strength: Mdou Moctar’s lyrics are passionately political, addressing issues such as colonialism, terrorism, and cultural preservation. Their words convey a sense of urgency and defiance, urging listeners to stand up against oppression and fight for justice. And most of all, the directness here is important like on the title track when Moctar sings “Retake control of your countries, rich in resources / Build them and quit sleeping.” The lyrics are deeply rooted in the band’s experiences as Nigeriens and Tuaregs, offering insight into the challenges they face and their aspirations for a better future.
MDOU MOCTAR REVIEW HISTORY
Afrique Victime (2021)
MDOU MOCTAR LINKS
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Bandcamp | Matador Records
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