Rock & pop releases

BEIRUT: Gallipoli (4AD)

THIS fifth album from New Mexico singer-songwriter Zach Condon — aka Beirut — feels like a geography lesson. In addition to its title track, there’s instrumental Corfu and a song about the German island of Mainau. Condon plays ukulele, trumpet and a Farfisa organ rescued from a travelling circus to supply lovely, layered instrumentation. But Gallipoli ultimately drifts aimlessly by. ★★✩✩✩

THE SPECIALS: Encore (Island)

THE Specials’ first album of new material in 21 years nods to their classic reggae roots on Blam Blam Fever and the acerbic Embarrassed By You. But Encore adds fresh strings to their bow, too. There’s a funky take on The Equals’ Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys. Another cover, of Prince Buster’s Ten Commandments, subverts the chauvinism of the original. A disc of live hits is a bonus. ★★★★✩