Listen to the captivating lead single, 'Derhan N’Oulhine'.
Imarhan, the Tuareg desert blues band from Algeria, has announced their fourth album, ‘Essam’, set to be released on January 16th via City Slang.
Since their inception in 2006, Imarhan – featuring guitarist and vocalist Iyad Moussa Ben Abderahmane (Sadam), bassist Tahar Khaldi, guitarists Hicham Bouhasse and Abdelkader Ourzig, along with percussionist Haiballah Akhamouk – have transformed the understanding of Tuareg music. Drawing on the roots of assouf (the desert blues sound popularized by Tinariwen and Mdou Moctar), the band combines ancient poetry and rhythm with elements of funk, psychedelia, and pan-African groove, creating a sound that feels both timeless and contemporary.
With ‘Essam’ – which translates to “lightning” in the Tuareg language Tamasheq – the band embarks on their boldest venture yet. The album was recorded at their AboogiStudio located in the heart of Tamanrasset, southern Algeria, and produced in collaboration with longtime ally Maxime Kosinetz, along with additional production from Emile Papandreou of the French duo UTO. It introduces electronic elements, expansive production, and a fresh sense of intimacy.
‘Essam’ captures the essence of its environment: the sounds of clapping friends, resonating voices, and a feeling of shared space, culminating in a powerful declaration of identity and growth. “We experimented with things we had never tried before; we took some risks,” Sadam explains. “Music gives us the freedom to explore new avenues.”
The lead single, ‘Derhan N’Oulhine’, highlights this bold experimentation, merging desert-rock foundations with subtle electronic layers and folk influences, anchored by a blues-inspired guitar that sometimes erupts into striking riffs.
The accompanying video, directed by Elsa Pennachio using an 8mm Bolex camera, reflects the album's production process: traditional methods and analogue techniques create a unique aesthetic.
Imarhan also revealed plans for a UK and European tour, featuring an extensive series of shows across the UK in March 2026, including a performance in London at 229 on March 21st.
Tune in now.
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Photo Credit: Marie Planeille
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