The New York indie rock outfit take their idiosyncratic pop sound to dizzying new heights with their third studio album, showing musical growth and the intelligent songwriting for which they have become known
VAMPIRE WEEKEND/ MODERN VAMPIRES OF THE CITY
Back in 2010, Brooklyn four-piece Vampire Weekend were one of the first indie bands popular enough for local concert promoters to bring to our shores. At the time, they were on tour for their second studio album, Contra, and spent the year headlining some of the world's largest music festivals. Their crisp 75-minute Bangkok set may have been an afterthought following the band's busy touring schedule earlier that year, and it left a lot of gig-goers high and dry (us included). But given Vampire Weekend's unique brand of indie-afro-punk-pop, we can't help but look forward to their releases.
So anticipation was high for their third studio offering, Modern Vampires of the City. Diane Young and Step, the first two singles released from the album, mark the band's bold return to the music scene. On the former, frontman Ezra Koenig gets his rockabilly swagger on like never before, crooning ''If Diane Young won't change your mind/Baby, baby, baby, baby right on time.'' On the latter, Koenig takes the tempo down a notch, while throwing in a handful of curious references to Angkor Wat, Dar es Salaam, Modest Mouse and Croesus over twinkling harpsichord riffs.
The third single, Ya Hey also packs in plenty of allusions which are mostly religious. Here, Koenig casually namedrops Zion, Babylon, a Jewish God, the Old Testament, a certain Rolling Stones record: ''Through the fire and through the flames/You won't even say your name/Only 'I am that I am,''' he sings before breaking out into spoken word.
Outside of these three songs, the album brims with quality tracks that could have been released as singles as well. The opener Obvious Bicycle, takes its time in building up and welcoming listeners back to the world of Vampire Weekend. ''Listen, listen up. Don't wait,'' Koenig urges. Unbelievers is the kind of stomping sun-soaked jam they previously perfected in tunes such as Cousins and A-Punk.
Thematically, the new album revolves around New York and the more serious side of issues such as the passage of time, existentialism, religion (Everlasting Arms), fading youth and death. Don't Lie succinctly captures these concerns: ''Does it bother you, the low click of the ticking clock? There's a lifetime right in front of you, and everyone I know.''
Vampire Weekend's latest release still bustles with Ivy League erudition and musical exploration of the music of faraway countries.
They have also expanded on this formula and perfected their sound. Modern Vampires of the City is a cohesive aural delight. They have proved that they're more than just a buzz band and are here to stay.
THE PLAY LIST
Part Time Musicians/ Vacation Time
Thailand's latest indie label, Rats Records, gives us its first signees _ a folk three-piece who go by the name Part Time Musicians. Comprising Wanrada Vichaithanaruks (vocals), Tarit Chiarakul (acoustic guitar and vocals) and Worramet Matutamtada (electric guitar), they immediately stand out from the pack with their breezy harmonies and acoustic guitar-dominated sound coupled with English lyrics that urge us all to "Feel the grassland beneath your feet/Lay your body down, and roll your weed." To enjoy this one to its full effect, crank this one up on your next road trip.
Mariah Carey (featuring Miguel)/#Beautiful
After lending her powerful vocals to the soundtrack of Disney's Oz The Great and Powerful, the reigning diva teams up with R&B crooner Miguel on her latest single, #Beautiful. Despite the trendy, somewhat gimmicky hashtag, the track stands on its own as a legitimate summer anthem thanks to the two vocal powerhouses. Mariah seems more at ease when she doesn't try too hard, and this one is definitely effortless and free from all pretence. "You're beautiful, and I can't pretend that doesn't mean a thing to me," she coos over the mellow, retro-inspired melody that will put a grin on anyone's face.
Fall Out Boy/ My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)
Emo rockers Fall Out Boy have reunited after a long hiatus following their last album in 2008, and give us My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up), the debut single taken from the band's fifth studio album. Featuring rapper 2Chainz, the song benefits from heavy guitar sound combined with a hand-clapping beat that signals a slight shift in their musical direction. Frontman Patrick Stump, in his distinct vocals, belts out: "The world can't ever get me on my level/I just gotta get you out the cage, on my own, lover's rage/God I need a spark to ignite."
Pet Shop Boys/ Axis
Ahead of their upcoming Bangkok gig at the Sonic Bang Music Festival this August, legendary British electronic music duo Pet Shop Boys follow up their eleventh studio album, Elysium, with Electric, a fully fledged dance record produced by none other than Stuart Price (Madonna, Kylie Minogue, New Order, Missy Elliott). The first single, Axis, harkens back to the early '80s club music with distinct influences from German electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk. Judging from what this song has going for it, it's clear Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe are back for dancefloor vengeance.
Passenger/ Let Her go
Looking for a new artist to get hooked on? England's folk rock singer-songwriter Mike Rosenberg, aka Passenger, won't disappoint. Starting out with a band called Passenger, Rosenberg decided to keep the band's name for his solo project. Let Her Go serves as the first single from his debut album All the Little Lights, and sees Rosenberg channelling folk predecessors such as Damian Rice, Ben Howard and even Mumford & Sons.
