Beirut - "My Night With the Prostitute from Marseille" (from March of the Zapotec & Realpeople/Holland

review by Christine ThrasherA departure from the acoustic folk pop/rock work that Beirut is most famous for, “My Night With the Prostitute from Marseille,” a new track from their March of the Zapotec EP, features fully electronic instrumentation along with Zach Condon’s signature melodic vocals. This song is fairly short and repetitive, featuring lyrical motifs such as “I believed her then,” and “now outside you see the waves in her eyes / and I, I won't mind what you decide to swear by,” but the effect is nostalgic and romantic. The track brings to mind a strange, colorful dreamlike circus in the summertime, perhaps describing the confusing but delightful absurdity of love and beauty. On many levels, the track is quite melancholic, remembering a time past. It should appeal to fans of Alaska in Winter, Owen Pallett, and A Hawk and a Handsaw. If you’re expecting something identical to Beirut’s indie hits “Elephant Gun” and “Postcards from Italy,” this track will surprise you with its catchy, almost danceable electronic instrumentation—it might throw off some fans of the band. However, if you give it a chance, it will grow on you.Buy at Rhapsody My Night With The Prostitute From Marseille (mp3)