Zach Condon has shared another new Beirut single, “The Tern,” ahead of his new album Hadsel. Out November 10 on his own Pompeii Records, the LP is the project’s first in nearly five long years, named after the life-changing Norwegian location that inspired its creation.
Regarding the track, Condon explained, “The base of this song comes from an old Roland synthesizer and drum machine part which I had lying around from a previous Berlin session. The lyrics I improvised on the spot and finished the song off by adding layers of church organs and hand percussion. I stacked the parts high despite always being afraid of overdoing it. In the end I was confused how I had written such a seemingly positive and even hopeful song, but once I took a closer look at the lyrics, I saw the real nature of the hidden defeat and triumph of caution rather than of hope.”
On February 16 and 17, Condon will return to the stage for Beirut’s first live shows since the 2019 tour that ultimately led to his hiatus. At the Tempodrom in his current home city of Berlin, Condon will be joined by an ensemble of new and returning members. Check out “The Tern” below, and pre-order Hadsel here.
