Vampire Weekend – Contra
Released: January 11th, 2010
XL Recordings
People either hate or love Vampire Weekend. Four snazzy brats from Columbia University isn’t usually the type of band with which people like to associate themselves. Regardless, their popularity started rising after the release of their 2008 self-titled debut release and has been growing exponentially ever since. The band’s musical sound also takes bounds forward on Contra; both sounding more pop-like and experiencing some more African music influences which were present on their first album but are more pronounced on this year’s release. Contra topped American Billboard charts upon its release, an uncommon and certainly impressive feat for an independent release.
Check out these tracks: “Giving Up The Gun,” “Diplomat’s Son” and “Taxi Cab.”
MGMT – Congratulations
Released: April 13th, 2010
Sony/Columbia
MGMT’s second album, Congratulations, comes off with somewhat of a different feel than their first, Oracular Spectacular, which had the world dancing to tracks like “Kids” and “Electric Feel” back in ’07. Having been leaked two weeks ago, Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden decided to put the entire album up on their website stating, “We wanted you to be able to hear it from us.” Congratulations boasts a much more psychedelic feel and also brings in many more acoustic guitar sounds than their debut. Only time will tell if it lives up to the hype that’s been brewing around it thanks to all the hits their first record had. People should at least appreciate a band trying to prove that they’re not just about catchy singles.
Check out these tracks: “Congratulations,” “Song for Dan Treacy” and “Flash Delirium.”
Los Campesinos!- Romance Is Boring
Released: January 26th, 2010
Arts & Crafts
Los Campesinos! serves up another album of catchy indie-pop songs with addictive guitar riffs lathered with heart wrenching lyrics and yelps from lead singer Gareth Campesinos! (All seven band members go by that last name). The album gives off the same youthful energy as the band’s previous releases but also slows down at other times, creating the group’s most complete release to date.
Check out these tracks: “In Media Res” and “There are Listed Buildings.”
