ALBUM REVIEW: Beirut – Hadsel

Bella Union

Released: 10.11.23

The much anticipated and welcome return of Zach Condon, Hadsel is an exceptional record that largely disregards genre. Opening with the title track, Condon’s voice is pitched against a beautiful orchestral backdrop providing an impressive start which he builds upon throughout the record.

Tracks January 18^th and Stokmarknes have a much more electronic feel, whereas the latter part of Hadsel is more subdued, particularly on The Tern, where the delicately nuanced instrumentation is ever present but with a quieter atmosphere, before the record closes out with the superb electronic sounds of Regulatory. It’s a wonderful record and feels like a significant change of direction but such a welcome one at the same time. Arguably Condon’s best work to date.