Far Out: The 50 best albums of 2023

“For me, London Ko means opening your mind,” explains Malian musician Fatoumata Diawara, whose fourth studio album is one of the year’s most electrifying and joyous releases. London Ko is a celebration of identity and community, with Diawara bringing in collaborators from across the world, such as the British songwriter Damon Albarn of Gorillaz and Blur fame, Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca and Ghanaian rapper Manifest. As “the first female solo electric guitar player in Mali,” as she told Guitar World, Diawara demonstrates her incredible skills on London Ko, particularly within the track ‘Yada’. She encourages listeners to dance from the very first song, ‘Nsera’, featuring Albarn, who co-produced the record with Diawara.

Elsewhere, Diawara proves that she isn’t just an incredibly skilled singer and musician – she also lays down some poignant lyrics, exploring themes such as family, feminism and cultural identity. The singer doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, such as FGM on ‘Sete’, which is accompanied by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, elevating the track to even more emotive heights. Diawara also chooses to sing in various languages on London Ko, including English, French, and Bambara – a conscious decision to celebrate the different facets of her identity that make her whole.