A couple of weeks ago my friend James introduced me to Beirut, a group from Brooklyn led by a very young, very talented Europhile named Zach Condon. They’ve been around since 2006 and it is a testament to the near total erosion of my NY hipster credentials that I’m just getting hip now.

It’s kind of hard to describe their sound, because it seems to change slightly with every release, but it’s probably enough to say that ukulele and accordion are the two most prominently featured instruments. This is not like most of the stuff I put on here and Zach’s singing is an acquired taste. But as you can see from the titles and hear from the sounds, this is an American group with an immersive interest in Europe and as an American currently immersed in Europe, I am feeling this shit.

Music:
Beirut - Postcards from Italy

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Man I love this song. This is from their first album, Gulag Orkestar, and is clearly inspired by the sounds of Eastern Europe (and the stationary of Southern Europe)

Beirut - The Akara

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This is from a more recent album which was recorded partially with a funeral marching band in Oaxaca Mexico.

Beirut - My Night With the Prostitute from Marseille

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This is from an EP called Holland (shout out to Holland!). It’s totally different from their other stuff, mostly electronic, but still really cool.

Beirut - Nantes

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This is the song they’re playing in the clip above. From their last album The Flying Cup Club, which is also cool.

www.beirutband.com

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