We’re only in the second week of the year, and already we’ve got our first must-hear album. Vampire Weekend’s sophomore LP, Contra, was released yesterday, and it’s ever better than the band’s 2008 debut. Mixing tropical pop with 8-bit electronics and the occasional foray into jittery reggae, it expands the group’s sound while retaining the good-natured charm that made the first album so much fun.
I spent last month listening to it on repeat, and you can read my review in BeatRoute. It’s the feature review of the month, meaning I had 800 words with which to espouse the album’s awesomeness.
Download the marimba-driven “Horchata” below. You’ll need headphones to fully appreciate this one, as it subtly transforms every few bars, with vocals and instruments shifting between speakers and alternating between effects.
Also be sure to head over to the band’s MySpace and listen to “White Sky,” which is the true standout of the album. (Unfortunately, I can’t legally offer it as a download.)
MP3: “Horchata”
I spent last month listening to it on repeat, and you can read my review in BeatRoute. It’s the feature review of the month, meaning I had 800 words with which to espouse the album’s awesomeness.
Download the marimba-driven “Horchata” below. You’ll need headphones to fully appreciate this one, as it subtly transforms every few bars, with vocals and instruments shifting between speakers and alternating between effects.
Also be sure to head over to the band’s MySpace and listen to “White Sky,” which is the true standout of the album. (Unfortunately, I can’t legally offer it as a download.)
MP3: “Horchata”
