Album: Tinariwen Imidiwan: Companions, (Independiente)

The melody and chords of opener "Imidiwan Afrik Tendam" make it sound like a Touareg take on "Mull of Kintyre".

But fear not, Tinariwen fans. Despite the fact that the band hasn't yet put a foot wrong, this – their fourth album – is still the group's most compelling since their debut. An admirably dry production focuses the attention on the scraping, stroking and plucking of the untreated guitars, as if Ibrahim and co were intent on showing Western rockers that there are always new approaches to their instrument.