Not just Beirut, but Gibraltar and Holland

A disclaimer: heightened anticipation gave this album, upon first listen, the sonic equivalent of rose-colored glasses. So what’s with the eagerness for Beirut’s first record in four years? Perhaps it’s tied to the first single, title track “No No No,” which was released back in June. The sound of multi-instrumentalist Zach Condon’s full, musical theater voice triggered a moment of tender recollection — Oh yeah, those guys. And maybe even more so — a fond callback to a time when the term “indie band” meant little-known artists experimenting with sounds and instruments, and being discovered in small, dimly lit rustic venues. The idea edges on quaint cliché, but there is still something irresistible about it. Thus, the eagerness for more.

With the release of No No No, Beirut proves the ability to maintain that wistfulness. The wide array of instruments they’re typically noted for (we’re talking flugelhorn, trombone, mandolin, glockenspiel, French horn, accordion) is toned down on the record. However, frequent allusions to international locations in conjunction with world-music influences remain staple characteristics of the band’s sound.

As if being recalled from a dream, the arrangements are composed in an enchanting way, saturating the referenced locales in enriched colors, making them seem more colorful and exotic than they are. And isn’t that what we do when we envision places like Gibraltar and Holland? Yet a current of authentic emotion flows throughout the album. The largely blithe tone is framed by melancholia. While “No No No” and “Perth” are rich with quick, catchy beats accentuated by upbeat horns, tracks like “At Once” take on a slower, more reflective tone. An instrumental track is titled “As Needed.” Considering Beirut’s strong emphasis on instrumentation, the title seems apt.

The tracks are brief. The collection taps in at 29 minutes. As to satisfying the previously mentioned eagerness, going through the album feels like savoring the latest episode of that suspenseful show you’ve waited a week to watch. Luckily, in true Beirut form, most tracks are earworms that hanker for repeat listens.

• Album: No No No
• Artist: Beirut
• Label: 4AD
• Songs: (1) "Gibraltar" (2) "No No No" (3) "At Once" (4) "August Holland" (5) "As Needed" (6) "Perth" (7) "Pacheco" (8) "Fener" (9) "So Allowed"