Beirut - Elephant Gun

Zach Condon may hail from Albuquerque, New Mexico, but by the sounds of his music, his heart lies somewhere in the Balkans. His latest offering shows off a plaintive vocal not dissimilar to a slightly toned-down Antony Hegarty, while behind him an enchanting mixture of mandolin, accordion, brass and drums swirl and sway in a slightly drunken but sophisticated manner. A cover of Jacques Brel's Le Moribund adds some extra boho-chic to proceedings and if the Arcade Fire were from Prague, they might just sound a little something like young Zach here. [Barry Jackson]