Wau Wau Collectif has an innate ability to crease the margins into sharp points and focus their music into expansive, expressive sonic worlds. Their second album, Mariage, arrives next month and pushes the thrilling highs of their debut, Yaral Sa Doom, beyond the horizon. Silky grooves are etched in winding patterns through parched landscapes to set the stage for Ndeye Awa Wade’s incredible vocals. Rhythms bounce lithely in unison with free-flowing horns, filling the gaps between hypnotic basslines and enchanting balafon runs. The melodies are layered at obtuse angles, moving between and around each other so that “Nécessaire” never lets up. The icing comes from the late, great Ousmane Ba’s gently divine flute solos wrapping themselves around each weightless motif like a transcendental embrace. Awa Wade brings it all home with a quiet, spellbinding force. “Nécessaire” is incredible and unmissable.
Mariage will be released on November 11 via Sahel Sounds. Stream below and pre-order HERE.
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