Tuareg rock four-piece Mdou Moctar (fronted by the guitarist-vocalist of the same name) released the fiery new single “Imouhar” and an accompanying music video last week; it’s the second track off of their upcoming record Funeral for Justice. As fans have come to expect, it’s a politically-charged banger drowning in Moctar’s singularly psychedelic blend of old-school hard rock and North African rhythms and melodies. According to the band, “Imouhar is the Tuareg equivalent to ‘brother’ or ‘comrade.’ It’s a familial way to say ‘Tuareg people’ that expresses a shared bond.” Mdou Moctar’s music continues to grow restless with the state of the world, and we hear that on “Imouhar”; while anthemic as ever, it’s one of their angrier songs, with Moctar lamenting the condition of the Tuareg people while delivering an urgent lead guitar performance.
Funeral for Justice comes out on May 3rd via Matador Records; you can catch them in Philadelphia at Union Transfer on June 28th (details at WXPN’s Concert Calendar). Watch the visual for “Imouhar” below or listen to it here.