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Songhoy Blues: Héritage review – the Malian rockers take a gorgeous acoustic turn


Close harmonies and delicate percussion front and centre showcase the band’s songwriting finesse on their beguiling fourth album

Résistance(2017) roamed previously unexplored areas such as funk and Iggy Pop with mixed results, while 2020’s Optimisme was an enjoyably florid, maximalist journey through Songhoy’s “desert blues” roots. Héritage takes a sharp left turn into the band’s first acoustic-led project, and while it lacks some of the incendiary thrills of their very best work, it demonstrates the power and acuity of their songwriting. As the album sounds more traditionally Malian, the slide guitar during Boroterey feels oddly out of place, yet Batto’s squalling electric solo is perfectly judged.

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