These acoustic outtakes are from the recording sessions held in Joshua Tree, Calif., for Tinariwen’s 2014 release Emmaar. According to the liner notes, the band would jam around the campfire outside the studio at nights after working on the album. And that’s exactly what this sounds like: loose, low-key songs recorded live with acoustic guitars, a hand drum, and restrained yet rich vocals. Tinariwen normally use electric guitars, creating swirling melodies and driving rhythms that reach hypnotic heights. The intimate acoustic approach captured here makes this release special without sacrificing the band's edge or intensity.