The Third Eye

The Nigerian rock quartet Mdou Moctar has released a new single, “Funeral for Justice,” off a forthcoming album of the same name, due May 3rd via Matador Records. The band spent close to two years touring the world after the release of their breakout record Afrique Victim, and the new song and album capture the group in ferocious form, with the music louder, faster, and more wild.

Listen to “Funeral For Justice” below:

The passionately political “Funeral for Justice” features blazing guitar solos and feedback-scorched madness. Mdou shreds with relentless energy on the song, barreling ahead like a freight train. Mdou Moctar sweeps us up in the winds of the Sahara with “Funeral for Justice,” but the excellent playing is no desert mirage.

Mdou Moctar is one of the most innovative artists in contemporary Saharan music, bringing unconventional interpretations of Tuareg guitar and pushing to the forefront of a crowded Saharan music scene. The songs on the new album speak unflinchingly to the plight of Niger and the Tuareg people. 

“Now, the problems of terrorist violence are more serious in Africa. When the U.S. and Europe came here, they said they would help us, but what we see is really different. They never help us to find a solution,” says Moctar, the band’s singer, namesake, and iconic guitarist.

Mdou Moctar has been a strong anti-colonial band for a while. On the new single and title track, Moctar addresses African leaders directly, singing, “ Retake control of your countries, rich in resources/Build them and quit sleeping.” 

The song “Sousoume Tamachew” deals with the plight of the Tuareg people to which the band belongs. Three of the band members are spread across the three countries of Niger, Mali, and Algeria. In that song, Moctar sings, “Oppressed in all three/In addition to lack of unity, ignorance is the third issue.”

While Moctar is the leader and namesake of the band, in its current iteration, Mdou Moctra is first and foremost a band. It comprises Moctar, rhythm guitarist Ahmoudou Madassane, drummer Souleymane Ibrahim, and American bassist and producer Mikey Coltun. 

The band got its start performing at traditional weddings, which were high-energy events that the whole town was invited to attend. During their first U.S. concerts, the audience mistakenly believed the shows to be tamed seated affairs. The band says that’s no longer the case, as the shows are fun, loud, raucous affairs known for dancing with reckless abandon. Over hundreds of shows, Mdou Moctar has proven to be a vital rock band not just in Africa but worldwide. They’re rooted in Tuareg tradition but undeniably transcend boundaries.

Check out “Funeral for Justice,” if you liked what you heard, listen to Mdou Moctar’s previous works, such as their 2021 breakout album Afrique Victime. Fans of Tinariwen and Zamrcok legends like WITCH should enjoy the sounds of Mdou Moctra, who provide an authentic cross-cultural music experience that proves that even in the harsh environments of the Sahara, there’s still a tremendous amount of beauty for those willing to listen. Enjoy!

Pre-order Funeral for Justice by Mdou Moctar on Bandcamp here.

Support Mdou Moctar by finding them on Bandcamp, their official website, or social media (Facebook, Instagram).

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