Mdou Moctar - "Funeral for Justice"

Mdou Moctar has announced a new studio album to follow 2021's marvelous Afrique Victime and has shared the title-track and lead single, "Funeral for Justice."

In case you're unaware, Mdou Moctar rock. And I don't just mean they're a great band, they are, but rather they absolutely shred their guitars and match the intensity on their drumming unlike most other bands right now. Fusing together psychedelic riffs that channel guitar virtuosos of the past along with furious rhythms, they're a band that seems unstoppable on stage and their records back up their performances with an almighty power as well. Today, the band has announced a new album and shared the title-track as the first single. No surprise, it absolutely rips. Fresh out the gates, Mdou (the band's namesake member and lead songwriter/guitar shredder) wastes no time slashing away at his guitar to bring these electric riffs into full view as the drums come crashing in to back up the energy with some serious vigor and intensity. It's a ferocious approach and the song sounds as if it's about to fly off the rails at any moment, the rhythm cutting back into place just when it seems like all hell is about to break loose. The record itself is a political one that was inspired by Moctar getting stranded in the U.S. at the end of last year's tour due to a political coup taking place in their home country of Niger. "This album is really different for me," Moctar explained. "Now the problems of terrorist violence are more serious in Africa. When the US and Europe came here, they said they're going to help us, but what we see is really different. They never help us to find a solution." He continued to say "I don't support the coup, but I never in my life liked France in my country. I don't hate France or French people, I don't hate American people either, but I don't support their manipulative policies, what they do in Africa." Joining the conversation, producer and bassist Mikey Coltun added "Mdou Moctar has been a strong anti-colonial band ever since I've been a part of it. France came in, fucked up the country, then said 'you're free.' And they're not."

Funeral for Justice is out May 3.