Like their first album, Vampire Weekend’s latest release is the realization of a unique musical vision that sees the band stretching out and adding new textures, instrumentation and rhymes into their sound.  The album which was primarily recorded in New York but also included a stay in Mexico where they found inspiration and added a little Spanish flair to the mix with the first track off the album “ Horchata”.

“ Horchata is a Spanish inspired drink that is primarily made with rice, vanilla and cinnamon, like the drink it’s the flavor and tone of horchata is fresh, summery and like nothing else. A great opener that sets the tone for yet another poppy release from the band. The use of marimba fits the song perfectly.   This album seems to have Vampire Weekend looking on the sunnier side of life because another must listen to tune that follows a similar theme is “ Holiday”.

“ Holiday” is a straightforward pop song with complete with childlike, sugary sweetness, its sounds like the latest ad for a toy commercial. I can just see the kids jumping up and down listening to it and maybe some adults too. The song is instantly catchy you won’t be able to get it out of your head.

Overall, Contra is a progression for the band, with their debut they laid down there roots and let us in on their style this album expands on the band’s pop/rock sensibilities and experiments with some new techniques and styles to create and fresh and diversified album, The band has added more drums, more up tempo guitar driven songs and elements of Caribbean, ska and reggae sounds that make this album confident, creative and a cut above the rest.

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