Vampire Weekend – Cousins (Toy Selectah Remix)

You know the drill, some hip young band releases an album you can’t help but fall in love with, then they announce plans to release a new album, and you begin to dread the all too often disappointment of the sophomore slump. Well luckily with Contra, the latest release from prep school darlings Vampire Weekend, that disappointment never comes. “Contra” is exactly what I look for in a second album, the same sound that made me love a band in the first place, but with growth and development. This is a toned down Vampire Weekend, more subtle, but no less alluring. After having “Horchata” and “Cousins” living in my brain for a while, I was eager to explore the new tracks. “Run” was the first song that made me press repeat, initially it’s so subdued, halfway in I was hooked, and by the 3 minute mark I was ready to do it all over again. The second track-stopper (I can’t decided if this is a terrible pun, or a fabulous one), was “Diplomat’s Son”. This one is more typical for these guys, and as the longest track on the album, offers a chance for true sonic exploration. The jumping melodies of the vocals, combined with ever evolving instruments, and a hypnotic, almost compulsive beat had me taking a second look. At a mere ten tracks, this album slips between your fingers before you can get a real hold on it, but that’s what the repeat button is for. This is a lovely way to kick off the new year, a new album, a new sound, moving past infatuation to love. (You can get it for $4, right here, right now. Don’t be a fool.)

The boys from Vampire Weekend have released their first single of their second album, due out early next year. Personally, I think that “Horchata” was better (and free to boot!), and that this is a pretty underwhelming single for an album that is still months away. My favorite part is the Christmas-bell like interlude, but it’s definitely not enough to carry the whole song. Check out the video, redeemable moments include bursts of confetti (cause who doesn’t love that?) and the part where they wear each other’s faces on the backs of their heads (actually pretty neat). Don’t take my word for it, listen and watch for yourself.

Vampire Weekend – Cousins
(mp3 removed by request)

Bonus! Because I’m obsessed with Theophilus London, here is a much more solid track with “cousins” in the title.

Theophilus London – Crazy Cousins

Sometimes I like to think back to a time when I didn’t like Vampire Weekend, mostly on principle since they were becoming so popular (plus, come on guys, it’s a silly band name), but I was not as happy then. I didn’t have the guiltless pop croonings with easy danceability, and enough of an African tinge to be designated “afro-pop”. Alas, despite all of the silly, mean, and pretentious things that have been said about Vampire Weekend, they are in fact a good time. New album comes out January of 2010. In a pretty brilliant move on their part, the band has released the track “Horchata” for free on their website, way to keep us interested boys. “Horchata” is comforting in its familiarity, still containing the basic essence of Vampire Weekend, just a little subdued while still remaining light-hearted. Its worth the free download, that’s for sure.

Vampire Weekend – Horchata

Thanks to another excellent tip from Eddie, I have discovered Discovery, and what a journey it’s been. It’s almost as if I was destined to love them, considering that Discovery is a side project of members from Ra Ra Riot (long time loves) and Vampire Weekend (recent convert). Upon first hearing Osaka Loop Line, the first 20 seconds definitely drew me in, but I was still unsure how I felt. Upon relisten, I have fallen hopelessly in love with this song. The whole LP has an overriding feel, including (sometimes) gratuitous use of auto-tune, but can be enormously effective when toned down in tracks such as So Insane. You’ll either love it or hate it, but give it a taste.

Osaka Loop Line – Dicovery
So Insane – Discovery