Noura Mint Seymali - Yenbett (2025) [Hi-Res]

Yenbett, the third album by Mauritanian griot Noura Mint Seymali, confirms her status as one of the world's most potent voices, delivering a "desert blues" that is "harsh, noisy and hard-hitting" and "designed for dancing." The album, her first since 2016, was co-produced by Seymali's drummer Matthew Tinari and Mikey Coltun (Mdou Moctar), and features a "raw and experimental" approach, blending ancient Northwest African tradition with "electrified Saharan future rock." Seymali is a living embodiment of the griot tradition, serving as poet, musician, historian, and cultural custodian, who synthesizes poetry, quotes, and her own writing to create new musical mosaics. She is also a virtuoso player of the ardine, a harp-like instrument unique to Mauritanian women's culture. Yenbett continues Seymali's pioneering work of forging a modern, electrified Mauritanian music with a rock sensibility, propelled by the sinuous electric guitar playing of her husband, Jeich Ould Chighaly, and a muscular rhythm section. The album is described as "the most vital and seductive articulation of desert psych" with elements of funk, rock, and an "otherworldly" soundscape that represents "an eternal African sound, made for now." Seymali was recently honored with the 2025 WOMEX Artist of the Year Award.



Tracklist:
1-1 Noura Mint Seymali - Bidayett Lehjibb [0:58]
1-2 Noura Mint Seymali - Lehjibb [3:29]
1-3 Noura Mint Seymali - Guéreh [4:07]
1-4 Noura Mint Seymali - Wezeun (Lebteït) [1:07]
1-5 Noura Mint Seymali - Knou [3:32]
1-6 Noura Mint Seymali - Moughadim Karr [2:02]
1-7 Noura Mint Seymali - Jraad [2:59]
1-8 Noura Mint Seymali - Radatt Lebiyaad [0:34]
1-9 Noura Mint Seymali - Tassirit [3:01]
1-10 Noura Mint Seymali - El Vaïz (Seni Karr) [2:31]
1-11 Noura Mint Seymali - Ch'tib (Naha) [4:57]
1-12 Noura Mint Seymali - Wezeun (Vaghou) [2:19]
1-13 Noura Mint Seymali - Hagala Geyeul [3:13]
1-14 Noura Mint Seymali - Wezeun (Likhal Karr) [0:31]
1-15 Noura Mint Seymali - Lebleida [3:48]