As appeared in the NDSU Spectrum

Review by Katie Hughes

Vampire Weekend stunned everyone with their 2008 debut, and New York City's ivy league foursome has done it again with a strong sophomore release, giving another round of some of XL Recording's finest.

Their latest album, Contra, introduces the group with a slight electro accent, reminiscent of this year's debut of Discovery (side project of keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij and Wes Miles of Ra Ra Riot), all the while separating themselves from so many of the other groups shamelessly jumping on the synth bandwagon.

The album opens with "Horchata," a single that leads listeners to a warmer place via xylophones and exotic percussive beats repeating throughout the album, sampling reggae influences across tracks like "Diplomat's Son" later on. The tropical sensation remains prominent throughout the album, following front man Ezra Koenig's lyrics as he dips between failed relationships, cab rides through Manhattan, and disdainful feelings towards winter, as would be seemingly appropriate for a January release.

Just as the singles wouldn't stop coming once before, their new album is full of tracks all legitimately eligible to become a hit. From the vocoder and string incorporation on "California English," to the fast-paced surf rock of "Cousins," Contra is bound to please the fans.

But where does this album differ from their previous release? Where can you notice the progression of the artists and what they've learned in the past couple of years?

To be completely honest, you can't because they don't progress. Yes, as some may have cited their previous album as having brief Paul Simon influences - which have matured on Contra into a blatant imitation - the album is simply refreshing the supply of songs so indisputably catchy that even hipsters can't help but indulge in. Vampire Weekend are lying in the beds they made, and loving it.

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