With their second album, Vampire Weekend are on their own. When their self-titled debut came to us almost exactly two years ago, washed along by waves of blogging credibility and industry hype, it was perhaps hard to see the wood for the trees. The truth was that it was (and still is) a very good record indeed – drawing on unusual influences way outside of the normal indie guitar fare to produce a joyous, life affirming piece of work.
Now, however, we need to take Vampire Weekend and their new album at face value. They’ve still played the Internet game to some extent, leaking tracks here and there, but Contra catches us still in a post Christmas stupor, our attention more on new bands than anything as old hat as a second album. Such lethargy, though, is quickly dispelled by the opening ‘Horchata’. Gone are the African jit jive guitars, replaced instead by a subtle electronic feel that soon bursts into life in a manner not wholly dissimilar to a Dario G dance tune. Suddenly the ice and snow of the outside world melts into the background.
The track sets a tone. This is still Vampire Weekend, but not quite as we know them. ‘White Sky’ follows with the first sign of THAT guitar sound but, lest they turn into a 21st century Big Country, it doesn’t dominate. There’s more upbeat pop here, tied up in an off kilter time signature. Two songs in and Vampire Weekend 2.0 seems an awfully good idea. It’s then that they stumble. Any track titled ‘Holiday’ should be approached with caution (Madonna aside naturally) and indeed this is an unspectacular entry into the canon. ‘California English’ is similarly slight, the sound of a band on autopilot. Oh dear, perhaps we spoke too soon.
Thankfully, we didn’t. After this wobble, Contra simply soars. It does so, however, by concentrating on the low key. ‘Taxi Cab’ is quietly dramatic, with lyrics supposedly influenced by Joe Strummer. It’s lovely, based purely on an elegant piano line and synth backing. ‘Run’ ups the pace and returns them to familiar territory yet still with new elements musically. It seems that the band’s time spent on side projects such as Discovery and The Very Best album were well spent.
The messy ‘Cousins’ still jars a little with its odd rhythms but provides a welcome change of direction, as does ‘Giving Up The Gun’ – which gives it large on the hummablity factor. They close the record in stunning fashion with the M.I.A. tinged ‘Diplomat’s Son’ and the exquisite broken relationship ballad ‘I Think U R A Contra’. Like the Arctic Monkeys Humbug last year, Vampire Weekend’s return may prove tricky for some who took their debut to their hearts so readily and wished merely for more of the same. They should, however, take their time and give this record room to breathe, for once they get what Contra is about, they’ll really get it. Magical.
Review by Phil Udell | OMG Entertainment | Leading Entertainment Website with Music, Fashion, Games, Films, Food, Drink, Reviews and Culture.
