Imarhan – ‘Essam’ album review: A desert blues exploration of people and place
Against a backdrop of political instability in their native Algeria, Tuareg desert blues masters Imarhan have returned with Essam, perhaps their most emotive, driven, and deeply affecting record since they first emerged back in the mid-2000s.
The Skinny: Tuareg blues is enjoying something of a golden age in recent years, as global attention has turned to the likes of Mdou Moctar, Tinariwen, and, indeed, Imarhan. Seemingly, the style’s blending of ancient poetry with a modern blues sound has a kind of universal power, and that power is one which Imarhan expertly expand upon with Essam, incorporating elements of electronica while keeping a focus on those storytelling traditions.
One crucial theme explored through the band’s captivating blues-heavy sound, for instance, is displacement and the growing number of refugees both in North Africa and across the wider world.
Either through their exploration of ongoing and unshakable instability on Algeria’s border with Mali – casting an air of unpredictable violence and conflict over the entire region – or through their more personal, intimate moments on the album, Essam is firmly rooted in humanity, or the lack thereof.
Even within those intimate, often heartbreaking moments, though, Imarhan are constantly paying homage to their origins in Tamanrasset, and through the introduction of new voices and various hand-clapping moments, a sense of community is woven through the record, which brings with it an overarching sense of hope.
Removing all of that essential context and background, though, the album’s innovative sound cannot be denied.
Unafraid to experiment with the sound of Tuareg blues, this album’s electronic influences – while often taking a backseat to the masterful guitar playing of Iyad Moussa Ben Abderahmane, along with the arsenal of traditional instruments employed – add the kind of modern, original touch that allows the band to stand out from the rest of the desert blues realm.
The Verdict: Essam manages to strike a balance between the timeless, captivating appeal of the desert blues sound and a more experimental, modern approach to music and production, which, along with its profoundly emotive content and inspiration, makes it one of the most innovative and beautiful blues albums of recent memory.
Stand-out Track: ‘Téllalt’
Release Date: January 16th, 2026 | Producer: Maxime Kosinetz and Emile Papandreou | Label: City Slang
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out New Music Newsletter
All the latest New Music from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.