ALBUM: Vampire Weekend-Modern Vampires of the City

They have been away for a while since their last album Contra was released. Since then Vampire Weekend have been pondering about death and atheism and their own country's attitudes. They then decided to put these ideas into their more matured, more American new album Modern Vampires of the City. The opener is a very sedated and sweet Obvious Bicycle which may put listeners in uncertainty about what the album will be like. However, these doubts change when Unbelievers comes in. This track is classic Vampire Weekend and will soon become a fan favourite with its catchy drum beat. Then come the singles from the album Step and Diane Young, both very different tunes: Step is a slow track, but is one of the better ones on the album; Diane Young is a nonsensical mash-up song (putting me in mind of The Countours' "Do You Love Me") which is bound to be a failure, yet works magically. This marmite track has already proven to be a hit with the fans anyway. Past these first four tracks, the album gets a bit wobbly - Don't Lie is a slow rock track that may be tedious to some and Everlasting Arms doesn't stand out too much to remember. Even the Vampire Weekend formula of a fast song with the high voice doesn't work on Finger Back with its irritating lyrics and addictive sound. Then there's the great. Hannah Hunt is beautifully crafted and the soundtrack to some young love story, whilst battling with life and what it throws at people as frontman Ezra Koenig cries "There's no future, there's no answer". Worship You is rapid-paced and after the ridiculousness of Finger Back, it almost shows how you actually write a fast song, but this album has no fast song of the calibre of A-Punk or Cousins. The highlight of the album is Ya Hey, a slower track but one of the catchiest ones as the band tackle the Christian America who doesn't support outsiders (like atheists as they are) "Dear sweet thing, America don't love you". After such a great part of the album, Hudson disappoints a little. The only dark song on the album (and written, according to the band) is wobbly and moody, but the final track of the album finishes on a high. Little is said in Young Lion, but the simple innocence of the track is enough to show you that although the Brooklyn band have changed their sound quite radically, they can craft something beautiful. The more Americanised album is a change from the African influences of the first two albums, but it works. At parts the album is flawed, but then it is absolutely gorgeous at other times.

Rating: 7/10

What is your favourite Vampire Weekend album? What do you feel is the best track off of "Modern Vampires of the City"? Have your say by commenting below.

Best tracks: Ya Hey, Hannah Hunt, Unbelievers, Step

For updates, follow me on Twitter: @ML0g