March of the Zapotec/Holland by Beirut

When a mediocre band makes it big with a poppy debut, no one expects the hits to keep rolling. But when your success is moulded by sheer brilliance and talent, the pressure for a triumphant return is ever mounting. This is the stress that Zach Condon, the 23-year-old prodigy behind Balkans folk project Beirut, has had live with ever since the release of his critically acclaimed debut Gulag Orkestar. After the success of 2007 follow up The Flying Club Cup, this latest EP shows the Santa Fe sensation’s desire to distance himself from his past works, and change.

This double EP, represents the two developments in Condon’s style. The first half entitled ‘March of the Zapotec’, features the big brass, droning accordion melodies and charging drums that have characterised Condon’s style up to now, whilst the input of The Jimenez Band provides a fresh Mexican influence. However, other than the fierce opener ‘La Llorona’ or the beautifully brooding ‘On a Bayonet’, the first half is a rather lack lustre affair, as Condon’s affecting vocal, guides the listener through some simply dull arrangements.

With the second half, a collection of five electronic numbers under former pseudonym Real People, Condon comes into his own, crafting songs with the haunting beauty and depth that made his previous works so magical. Standout tracks include ‘My Night with the Prostitute From Marseille’ and the transcendent ‘Venice’ that combines Condon’s penchant for brass, with his new electronic aesthetic magnificently.

Whilst this new EP is an uncharacteristically patchy affair, it provides a wealth of emotion and a scintillating insight into Condon’s next musical direction.