Album: Fatoumata Diawara, Fatou (World Circuit)

Guitar riffs like quiet mantras, suspenseful stripped-down arrangements, and lyrics that address the political and private life of the contemporary African woman, all add up to make this Malian singer-songwriter and one-time Oumou Sangara backing vocalist's debut album a thrilling listen.

There's pain here, but one feels that this young woman partly makes music to self-console and heal. A graceful, subtle album that increases its hold with every play.