Each of Songhoy Blues’ albums has mapped slightly different terrain. The Malian rockers’ 2015 debut, Music in Exile, was a gripping, energising introduction to a talented outfit shaped in the terrifying cauldron of civil war. Résistance (2017) roamed previously unexplored areas such as funk and Iggy Pop with mixed results, while 2020’s Optimisme was an enjoyably florid, maximalist journey through Songhoy’s “desert blues” roots. Héritage takes a sharp left turn into the band’s first acoustic-led project, and while it lacks some of the incendiary thrills of their very best work, it demonstrates the power and acuity of their songwriting.

It helps that songs such as Toukambela aren’t particularly sparse or slow. Close choral harmonies and delicate percussion fill out the nooks normally inhabited by searing guitar solos or thumping rhythms. There’s a soulful frailty in Aliou Touré’s imploring vocal that is incredibly winning, particularly on Boutiki or in duet with Rokia Koné on Norou. As the album sounds more traditionally Malian, the slide guitar during Boroterey feels oddly out of place, yet Batto’s squalling electric solo is perfectly judged. Overall, this is yet another impressive piece of work, full of spark and wonder.