Imarhan - Essam (Petrol Vinyl)

ESSAM is the fourth album from Algerian Tuareg desert rock quintet Imarhan, who formed in 2006, and it hints at something of a switch-up in their sound. While retaining the same core lineup, the record moves beyond their earlier Tuareg guitar-driven blend of blues, rock and psychedelia into more modern and exploratory territory.

Longtime sound engineer Maxime Kosinetz steps into the producer role for the first time and adds a new perspective to the sessions in Tamanrasset. Alongside Emile Papandreou, whose use of modular synthesis subtly transforms live instrumentation, the album reshapes familiar textures into expansive and forward-looking new worlds rooted in musical adventure but still distinctly Imarhan.