Mdou Moctar have released their second EP of 2022, Niger EP Vol. 2.
The follow-up to August’s Niger EP Vol. 1, the new six-track release takes in live and alternate versions of songs from across the quartet’s discography, captured in their native of Niger. Following the digital release of this latest EP, it’s also been confirmed that both instalments of the Niger EP series will be released on limited edition vinyl on March 10. They’re available to pre-order here.
Among the tracks featured on Niger EP Vol. 2 is a new live version of ‘Ibitilan’, which originally appeared on 2019’s Blue Stage Session. In a statement about the track, Moctar’s producer and bass player said: "’Ibitlan’ is a love song. Mdou sings about his love for a woman, comparing her to a beautiful valley with a stream running through it, how her skin is a yellow flower and her smile is like lightning.
"This particular recording was done in Agadez in 2017 at a wedding. Mdou and I had played three weddings a day for about a month and a half on that trip. It was like bootcamp. I loved it. ‘Ibitilan’ is one of Mdou’s oldest songs and is covered by pretty much every Tuareg guitarist. We’ve played versions of this song lasting over 20 minutes. It’s definitely one of my favourites to play!"
Niger EP Vol. 2 is out now on Matador.
