Beirut – Gallipoli

An enchanting record that's “classic Beirut with a sense of maturity”…

Zac Condon shipped his organ – previously owned by a traveling circus’ keyboard player – from Santa Fe to New York in order to write this album. ‘Gallipoli’ is almost as enchanting as that story.

Written on the same organ as the first two Beirut albums, this record is undoubtedly of the same ilk, which is a little disappointing until you acknowledge that this is Condon doing what he does best: making emotionally driven, nuanced songs with a Balkan heart that transport you into a black and white memory.

With the signature soothing brass on ‘Family Curse’, frolicking ukulele on ‘Varieties of Exile’ and some interesting drumming on ‘Light in Atoll’, this is classic Beirut with a sense of maturity. ‘Gallipoli’ confirms that Zac Condon knows how to make music to soothe and transport you (pun intended) – tracks like ‘Mainu Island’ will make you feel like you're on a sunny island rather than the 52 bus.

It’s not a particularly groundbreaking Beirut album, but it is certainly a beautiful Beirut album.

7/10

Words: Kerry Flint

Dig it? Dig deeper: The Shins, Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens

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