Pitchfork

Chicago indie Drag City has always favored music a little out of step with the indie rock norm (check the booklet of Ys for testament to that), but their latest venture takes them quite a few paces off the beaten path.

May 22 will see the proper launch of Yaala Yaala Records, the new world music imprint under the Drag City umbrella that will release three albums of music from lesser-known West African artists May 22. Albums by Wasulu duo Pekos & Yoro Diallo, Malian griot Daouda Dembele, and a collection recorded at house parties in the Malian locales of Bougouni and Bamako will all hit stores with a Yaala Yaala sticker.