At first listen, Contra may feel like a repeat of Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut. The songs are made of the same upbeat cacophony of often-neglected instruments and rich sounding vocals, and lead singer Ezra Koenig is still making aristocratic references which plebeians cannot comprehend.But underneath the familiar sound is a subtle and engaging album. With Contra, Vampire Weekend has learned to thrive on the little things – like the dream-like piano lining the background of “Taxi Cab” or the faint guitar picking in “White Sky” and the slow building bridges in “Diplomat's Son.” Layered over a strong base of refreshingly creative vocals (especially the smooth, meandering rap in “Cousins”) and catchy riffs, these small tangents fit together like colored pieces in a stained glass window. Each idea is beautiful in its own right, adding to a greater composition.
While Contra may not boast anything as simply infectious as “A-Punk” or “Oxford Comma,” it is a more fulfilling effort from a band which has reaffirmed its identity while simultaneously expanding its borders.
4/5 Stars
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