Tinariwen

Review by: Molly Briguglio

The Short:

A Tuareg music group from the Sahara desert known for its “desert blues” sound that shares the political and social struggles of the Tuareg people through its songs. 

The Long:

Described as soul rebels, members of Tinariwen use their unique guitar-driven sound to produce rock n’ roll music with traditional Tuareg melodies mixed in. The group has received international praise since their formation in the late 1970s, and even won a Grammy for their album titled Tassili, which explores the band’s feelings of longing for their homeland and peace for their people.  

To listen or not to listen:

Listen! Tinariwen gives its listeners a glimpse of life in the Sahara with its rhythmic African sound. It’ll make you want to leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life and travel to the desert to listen to their music under the stars, much like the environment where Tinariwen members composed these songs. Check out the song “Nannuflay” to get a feel for their unique sound and hypnotic desert beats.