Beirut’s album 'The Rip Tide' just released

If you know Beirut, you know their sound—beautiful and gloomy, with heavy instrumentals. And by instrumentals, I don’t mean a guitar and a drum set. Their music is rich in its sound, filling a song with the trumpet, an accordion, and a conch shell. Yep, you heard me right. A conch shell.

With Beirut’s previous albums, all successful in the indie world, the newest release was one that several were anticipating. The Rip Tide clocks in a bit shorter than their other albums. With only 9 tracks (a little over a half an hour’s worth of music), Beirut had to prove those songs worthy. This release was supposedly going to set a tone of a happier disposition than we’re used to hearing (Gulag Orkestar and The Flying Club Cup give off a strange, lonely, but somehow addicting sound), but I can’t exactly say it owned up to that standard. This isn’t to say it’s a bad album—by all means, if you like Beirut, then you’re familiar with the dramatic, sad, but uplifting melodies. The Rip Tide has a familiar feeling to album's past.

Zach Condon, the voice of the band, does a great job of growing as a singer, and it’s evident in this album. The songs are simple in nature, and very punctual. “A Candle’s Fire” and “Port of Call” are notable songs off the track, with sound that’s dramatic and has a vastness to it. Though short in the time it plays for, each song feels somehow endless. Be sure to check out “Goshen,” a melody that is sad and slow, and “Vagabond,” a tune that is one of the more upbeat songs off the album.

Overall, Beirut’s album The Rip Tide is a miss on its promise of cheerfulness, but it is a definite hit on an overall fulfilling album, despite its short playlist.