“Modern Vampires of the City” is indie rock sensation Vampire Weekend’s latest album. The album was released in spring of 2013 and has not only helped the band maintain their success, but also flourish in the rock community.
Those who are not familiar with the name of the band may have heard them on the popular dance game “Just Dance 2,” where their song “A-Punk” is featured as a dance option.
Also, back in 2010, a Target commercial featured their song “Holiday” in the background as a family prepared for the holiday season.
“Modern Vampires of the City” is the group’s third recorded album, proceeding the band’s sophomore album “Contra” (2010).The twelve-track album was released in May of 2013 and the band debuted three singles (“Diane Young”, “Step” and “Unbelievers”) earlier that same year.
Not only was the album widely accepted by fans, but it also earned the band a Grammy for “Best Alternative Music Album” at the 2014 Grammy Awards. According to lead singer Ezra Koenig, the album took roughly two years to create and it was quite the journey.
“We wrote most of it New York,” Koenig said in an interview with NME, “[then] took a little trip to Martha’s Vineyard.” The album was completed out in Los Angeles after Koenig and the boys decided the direction they wanted the album to go in.
Koenig describes the songs of the album as simplistic and direct with moments of darkness and romance, which goes very well with the overall style of the band’s musical identity.
As a whole, the band’s style could be classified as indie rock, though some of their songs are very popular. If you are not sure who Vampire Weekend is, take a listen to “A-Punk” and you will instantly recognize the funky beat. If you like bands such as GROUPLOVE, The 1975 and Local Natives, I am sure that you will be a fan of Koenig and the rest of the boys from Vampire Weekend.
In my personal opinion, this is the best album the band has released thus far. Not only does each song stand on its own, but the smooth transition between
the songs is impeccable. The order of the tracks enables the listener to easily transition from track to track seamlessly.
Aside from the transitions, the actual lyrics of the songs are beautiful. My personal favorite song on the album, “Hannah Hunt,” evokes so many emotions.
The psuedo-love ballad of the album, this song tells a story of young and very relatable love: “Though we live on the US dollar/ You and me, we got our own sense of time.” Anytime I hear those lyrics, I am moved with emotion.
Aside from “Hannah Hunt,” this album also includes some of my other favorites in the new age of indie rock such as “Everlasting Arms” and “Worship You.”
I would give this album a 10/10. Any college student with a love for indie rock would be doing themselves a huge injustice by not listening to this album.
The album is great if you are looking for music to play in your dorm, or just on your way to class. This album is one worth buying.
