Idrache (Traces Of The Past) Tinariwen

Album review

Tinariwen’s music is as paradoxical as the desert it was born out of: vast, seemingly unchanging from a distance, and deceptively simple. At first glance, it appears constant, timeless—always the same. Yet, when you take a closer look and truly immerse yourself in it, you discover incredible depth and richness. Beneath its repeating traditional foundations lies the group’s entire musical evolution, expressed through subtle nuances, shifting energy (ranging from folk to rock and roll’s electric edge), collaborations with guest artists, and the stories behind the recording and production of each album. Idrache (meaning “traces of the past” in Tamasheq) adds yet another layer to the story, of what goes on behind-the-scenes, of the genesis, the creation of Tinariwen’s songs before their production. It’s essentially a collection of demos recorded in 2002, 2006, and 2008. Most of these tracks have already appeared on the group’s previous releases, played by the full band. Yet on this album, they’re stripped back to their bare essentials, often played by just one musician, or by a smaller acoustic group…and it’s astonishing. Everything is still there, even in this most basic state: the hypnotic drones, the intricate looping guitar riffs, the rising tension that makes you feel like you’re levitating, the unique vocals from Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, the contrasting female vocals that soften the track’s ruggedness, the tear-jerking emotional weight. Tinariwen’s music has never sounded closer to the blues of musicians like John Lee Hooker or Ali Farka Touré, or to a spiritual awakening, than it does in this form. This album’s version of “Tenhert” easily ranks among Tinariwen’s top 10 best songs. Same goes for “Tenere Dafeo Nikchan.” The other tracks are not far off too, making Idrache one of the remarkable Tinariwen albums we’ve heard in a long time. © Stéphane Deschamps/Qobuz