Malian five-piece Tamikrest cultivate a hypnotic, high octane brand of desert-dry rock 'n' roll

As such, it's difficult to describe Kidal - named after the town where the band first got together - without mentioning a certain group of more seasoned Desert Blues practitioners. However, it'd hugely unfair to describe Tamikrest as merely Tinariwen Jr. Although the likes of the mesmerising opener "Mawarniha Tartit" cultivate a loping, unhurried groove, there's nothing laidback whatsoever about Kidal. Whether straddling a wildly galloping groove ("War Toyed", "War Tila Eridaran") or engaging in minimalist meditation ("Tanakra"), there's an intensity and irresistible energy to the proceedings that place Tamikrest nearer to the nimble raw power of innovators such as Songhoy Blues than the more steadily paced, tradition-upholding Desert Blues pioneers.

There's a compelling sense of an expanding sonic arsenal to Kidal, too. Although the straight-ahead rock 'n' roll drumming on "Adoutat Salilagh" doesn't really gel, the biting slide guitar - with echoes of vintage Pink Floyd transplanted to sun-scorched surroundings, perhaps - on the atmospheric "Atwitas" proves how subtle tweaks and well-judged added ingredients can invigorate and renew time-worn formulas.

The result is a stunning realisation of Tamikrest's potential. Forget about genres, political backdrops and the exotic location (Bamako, Mali, where the album was recorded, to be precise) this music derives from: Kidal is first and foremost a kick-ass, spirited rock 'n' roll album that demands to be heard far beyond any 'World Music' specialist interest circles.