Beirut Announce New Album. World Rejoices!!

One of the largest surprise hits of 2006 was Beirut's Gulag Orkestar, which received widespread acclaim for its innovative combination of Balkan and pop melodies. Even more surprising was that it was the work of one 19-year-old kid, Zach Condon, and done almost completely in his bedroom. Now, two years later, Condon has just completed six months of work on his follow up record, which evokes the forgotten charms of older approaches to pop music.

The new record (yet to be titled) will be released on October 9th on Ba Da Bing!, and features a notable shift in sound from Gulag. With song titles like "Nantes" and "Cherbourg," the record is more a love letter to French culture. Featuring thirteen tracks in all, this new album continues on the trajectory that began with the Lon Gisland EP, where the entire eight member band plays along on the recordings. Besides the eight member orkestar and guests, Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy adds lush string arrangements to the songs, as well as guest vocals on a track entitled "Cliquot."

Beirut will be playing a limited number of North American shows this fall in theatrical venues. Colleen, whose new album Les Ondes Silencieuse is out this month on The Leaf Label, will open.

Tour dates:

September 23rd - Princeton, NJ - Terrace F Club

September 24th – New York, NY - Worldess Music Series @ Society for Ethical Culture

September 26th - New York, NY - Delacorte Theater

September 30th – Montreal, QU – La Salla Rosa

October 2nd - Toronto, ONT - Danforth Music Hall

October 4th – Chicago, IL Portage Theater

October 8th – San Francisco, CA - Herbst Theater

October 9th – San Francisco, CA - Herbst Theater

October 10th – Los Angeles, CA - Avalon

Tracklisting:

0. A Call To Arms

1. Nantes

2. A Sunday Smile

3. Guyamas Sonora

4. La Banlieu

5. Cliquot

6. The Penalty

7. Forks and Knives(La Fête)

8. In The Mausoleum

9. Un Dernier Verre (Pour la Route)

10. Cherbourg

11. St. Apollonia

12. The Flying Club Cup