Out now via City Slang!

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ESSAM is the band’s fourth album, recorded with the same core lineup, but marks a significant shift in their sound and approach. Musically, it marks a departure from the rocky, bluesy, psychedelic Tuareg guitar-driven sound influenced by Tinariwen’s heritage—moving toward something more open, modern, and exploratory. For the first time, their long-time sound engineer Maxime Kosinetz stepped in as producer. He travelled to Tamanrasset with Emile Papandreou (of the French duo UTO), a multi-instrumentalist who introduced electronic elements by sampling live instruments and reprocessing them in real time with a modular synthesizer—subtly reshaping the band's sonic identity. The album was recorded mostly live, in one big room at Aboogi Studio—the band’s own rehearsal and recording space in Tamanrasset. The studio, a converted concert hall, has become a kind of cultural hub for the local youth. Friends dropped by during the sessions to contribute handclaps, vocals, and just be part of the energy. It’s a space where people gather, hang out, play dominoes, smoke chicha—a rare communal spot in a city that doesn't offer many for young people, somewhat like a youth and community center.This context—the creative shift, the live recording process, the atmosphere around Aboogi—might be interesting threads to explore in the conversation.

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TRACKLIST:

01. Ahitmanin

02. Derhan N’Oulhine (extended version)

03. Télallalt

04. Tamiditin

05. Azaman Amoutay (extended version)

06. Tin Arayth

07. Tinfoussen

08. Adounia tochal (extended version)

09. Assagasswar