Vampire Weekend

Contra

XL Recordings

by Nicole Martinez

Blogger darlings Vampire Weekend are back with “Contra” the follow-up to their hit self-titled album. Following the unprecedented mainstream and critical success of their first album, many wondered whether they would be around to make a second album or like so many others, be featured on an indie rom-com soundtrack then quickly forgotten.

Although the band claims “Contra” was greatly influenced by recent travels to Mexico and the West Coast, it is clear that the band spent more of last year experimenting with sounds beyond the thumb piano than getting to know the natives. Immediately noticeable are the new rhythmic tricks the band has added to their signature “Paul Simon goes to Africa” sound. Beyond the band’s enthusiastic study of musical textures, they bring little newness to the table with this album, relying on much of the sound of their first album to make it work.

Contra’s opening track “Horchata” lyrically expresses a familiar but somehow new beginning. The boys lay it on thick right from the start, sending the listener into a frenzy of Afro drum beats and deep chanting layered with hollow xylophone and tambourine accents. An unexpected lightness is brought on by a delicate violin and silly lyrics about a Mexican rice-drink, sandals, and afternoons spent on the coast.

The song “Diplomat’s Son” brings on beach-bonfire fantasies, neatly combining a hip-hop bass line with twangy guitar sounds and swaying back and fourth between a melodic piano and synth beats punctuated with classical violin. Easily my favorite track on the album, the song samples M.I.A as well as Toots and the Maytals.

Unfortunately, Vampire Weekend’s new musical palette is not used as cleverly or in such complimentary ways on most of the other tracks. The album’s first single, “Cousins,” has a distinct punk vibe about it, with characteristically fast guitars and rolling drums while the rhythm brings to mind my grandpa’s old mariachi records. The drumming on this track is reminiscent of El Gran Silencio’s “Duerme Sonando.” Although not a song I was particularly fond of, it was a favorite of my more musically-inclined friends.

In “California English” the boys delve into hip-hop territory; a lively dancehall, hi-hat happy beat backs singer Ezra Koenig’s auto-tuned vocals. Because I personally am not a fan of auto-tuners outside of hip-hop, I will simply quote Koenig who explained “It doesn’t sound like T-Pain.” I will give him that. One of the better tracks on Contra otherwise.

Old fans will enjoy “Holiday,” the track sounding most like those on the band’s previous album. The classic formula of a bouncy ska/Afro-beat base plus a heavy dose of Beach Boy harmonizing will leave frat boys jumping for joy. Did I forget to mention calypso? Wowza!

For better or for worse, Vampire Weekend’s Contra is more musically complex and deserves a listen from old and new fans. Expect to see some of the catchier tracks on Gossip Girl and The new (and hopefully never-ending) season of Jersey Shore.

Contra will be available Tuesday, Jan. 12.

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