With their 2008 self-titled debut, New York City’s Vampire Weekend skidded onto the music scene with a determination and individuality that catapulted them immediately into the spotlight. Their sophomore release is one of the most anticipated albums of 2010 and features the band’s unmistakable sound: music that is exploratory yet somehow happily familiar, with indie rock and Afro-pop-inspired melodies and rhythms.
On Contra, the band delivers the recognizable, uniquely crafted sound that marked their debut while exploring fresh territory – both musically and lyrically.
“It’s sadder than the first one, a bit more sentimental,” says singer Ezra Koenig.
It chews ravenously through sound palettes, with multiple influences woven together into a seamless fabric of references. The songs are catchy, fast, twinkling, clattering – the darker themes of loss, doubt and regret accumulate almost imperceptibly, but they land a powerful blow.
The band seems to invent a new midway between the trademark style that infused their first record and allowing for creative inspiration to find its footing. Like the word “contra” itself, the songs are layered with meaning and invite interpretation. Have a listen and see what springs to mind. Just be prepared to fall under the spell of the album’s catchy and inviting charm.
Contra will be available on-demand Tuesday, January 5 through January 18, 2010.Official artist website: www.VampireWeekend.com
Track listing:
1. Horchata
2. White Sky
3. Holiday
4. California English
5. Taxi Cab
6. Run
7. Cousins
8. Giving Up the Gun
9. Diplomat’s Son
10. I Think Ur A Contra
