By Martin Bradesca, Contributor

[Matador; 2025]

Key Tracks: “Funeral for Justice – Injustice Version,” “Oh France – Injustice Version” 

Riding off the coattails of his 2024 album Funeral For Justice, Mdou Moctar has released a stripped back acoustic version of the thrilling psychedelic release entitled Tears of Injustice. 

While Mdou Moctar has become known for his blazing guitar leads and shouted vocals, the Tuareg guitarist is no stranger to playing without the flashiness of loud amps. Growing up with parents who forbid electric music due to religious beliefs, Moctar knows how to use whatever means he has to create his art. The album was recorded during an uncertain moment for the band, when a 2023 coup forced them to remain in New York during a tour. The resulting acoustic version of their 2024 is laced with grief and longing for their home. 

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While based on the fiery and electric Funeral for Justice, Tears of Injustice is definitely a definitive and interesting work in its own right. It takes the same songs of the former work and presents them in a way in which the listener is forced to hear the message, not just listen to the music. Focusing on themes of French and American colonization of African nations such as Niger, the lyrics cut deep when given the space to resonate. Instead of feeling the rage of Funeral, Tears of Injustice, like its title implies, represents the grief and sadness of the struggle against colonization.

The album’s tracklist is the same as Funeral for Justice, with all the tracks being designated as the “Injustice Versions” of the former albums songs. The title track’s injustice version has simple yet brutal lyrics: “Dear African Leaders… Why does your ear only heed France and America…They possess the power to help out but choose not to.” Not only does he call out the colonizing nations for looting his land, but he also cuts into his own leaders for letting it happen. The record ends with another lament in “Modern Slaves,” a deep criticism of how first world countries treat the people in nations they pillage as resources. The album definitely feels like it’s crying, but it also feels hopeful. Moctar never seems depressed in his delivery, despite the somewhat hopeless subject matter. 

Overall, while the album lacks the raw energy of Funeral, it makes up for it in emotional weight. Moctar proves that he isn’t just all flash, his songs have legs to stand on their own without all the embellishments a loud band brings. Despite being in a foreign language, the meaning of the music feels universal and would be a great introduction to this style of rock music.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/album/2PnW1uOBP1rJQLi8SycNDk?si=EG1wFOrcQ9OtEaobYiqLOQ