Vampire Weekend: re-Contra happy music

to Mahelin

Contra (2010) was one of the most anticipated records when 2009 was coming to an end. If you were wondering why so much expectation then you must remember the huge success Vampire Weekend's opera prima meant. Lots of things can explain their success. You could say they knew how to propose a "new sound", merging the american essence of indie with a good amount of Western African music influence. You could also say they sounded like no other group. But I have my own theory: they make happy tunes. And when you listen to Contra, even though it sounds a little bit different from its predecessor, you are going to get the same result: you are going to smile, you are going to dance. You're going to feel good. Ezra Koening's childish voice and ingenious guitar licks, Rostam Batmanglij's ability to make sound his keyboard like a toy, and Christopher Tomson's ferocious drums beats are all ingredients for a solid and coherent record, in spite of the mixture of rhythms and intricate lyrics. When you listen to Contra, you are not going to feel happy. You are going to be happy.

This is the video for Cousins