Track By Track: Vampire Weekend - Contra

Vampire Weekend’s new album may still be a week away but the band have decided to stream it in full on their myspace. Here, then, are AGCS’ stream of consciousness first impressions.

1. Horchata - The first taste of Contra was given away a few months ago now but it still sounds great. Not hugely different from anything on their first album but there’s a lot more going on - it sounds simple but very complicated at the same time.

2. White Sky - Another track that’s been over the internet already. Starts off all synthy before going in a more traditional Vampire Weekend direction. Some stunning vocals from Ezra in the chorus. Good background shouting too.

3. Holiday - Again, another song that couldn’t be anyone other than Vampire Weekend but it still manages to sound different from anything on their début. All good so far.

4. California English - Might just be my rubbish speakers but sounds like Vampire Weekend are using auto-tune on this one. Yeah, they definitely are. Great little guitar break around the 40 sec mark. Still not sure about the vocals though. Nice string section in the middle. Whether you like this song basically depends on whether you can cope with the auto-tune. I’m not sure it’s a good idea.

5. Taxi Cab - Slowing down a bit now after a couple of very fast tracks. A bit more stripped back than the past couple as well and to my mind it’s a good thing. Nice echoing percussion sound and stuttering keyboard line. Think this is my favourite song so far.

6. Run - I’m beginning to notice a trend now - Keyboards are to the fore with guitar playing back-up. Another slower song, again with a great percussion sound. A solid track, but I’m not blown away by it on first listen

7. Cousins - I’ve already heard this song loads and so it has an unfair advantage over the rest but trying to compare the tracks objectively I’d have to say this is the obvious single. First properly guitar-led song. It’s a cracker

8. Giving Up The Gun - Very promising start, short bursts of noise ushering in a very Flux-esque synth line. Amazing drum work again. Glockenspiel in the chorus works brilliantly. Breakdown at around the 2:50 mark is great as well. Some lovely choral backing vocals and a female vocalist coming in towards the end too. OK, I think I’ve got a new album favourite here.

9. Diplomat’s Son - Another promising start for the album’s longest track and another song built around synth. Song suddenly changes around the 3:15 mark, and then changes back around half a minute later. And then changes back again around the 4:30 mark. Not sure how well this stop-start thing works, but it’s good to see the band trying out different sounds and structures on this album. Another good song

10. I Think Ur A Contra - Vocals at the forefront for this track, atmospheric whirling synths only joined by strings about halfway through. I know strings are always described as “soaring” but these ones really are. Some lovely guitar work coming in in the last minute too, before the track ends with a percussion outro. A beautiful song and a very strong end to the album.

NOTES:

This album is ruled by keyboards and percussion. With the exception of Cousins there’s no guitar workouts in the vein of A-Punk or Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, and there’s no songs like Campus or The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance which bring the bass to the fore. Overall though, it’s a pretty good second album album and, while maybe not as immediate at their debut, sees the band trying lots of new things. Whether all these work (auto-tune?!?) will only be seen after repeat listens.

Check back in a couple weeks for a proper review based on hearing it more than once.

Jed. x