Over the course of three albums -- "Vampire Weekend," "Contra," and "Modern Vampires of the City" -- indie rock band Vampire Weekend has managed to create an impressive discography and unique sound. In doing so, the group has garnered an impressive fan base and has solidified their standing as one of the great bands in modern music history. As my favorite band, I decided to pick what I believe to be some of their best songs, though all are really worth listening to.
20. “M79”
This song is one of the many examples of the band’s ability to blend beautifully chaotic instrumentals with smooth vocals.
19. “A-Punk”
One of Vampire Weekend’s most well-known songs, A-Punk’s fast-paced beat and catchy lyrics makes it irresistible.
18. “Finger Back”
The upbeat instrumentals and tone of the song are in sharp yet harmonic contrast to its rather dark lyrics, which have a somewhat violent nature that is easily masked by lead singer Ezra Koenig’s angelic voice.
17. “White Sky”
The smooth, simple, and cheery tone of the song makes it a relaxing and enjoyable listen.
16. “California English”
One of the many examples of Koenig’s lyrical genius, “California English” plays with rhyming patterns and uses mild voice distortion to create a truly mesmerizing tune.
15. “Holiday”
Another one of the band’s more identifiable singles, “Holiday” -- though notably used in Tommy Hilfiger and Honda Christmas season TV advertisements -- is actually about a reaction to the United States’ invasion of Iraq. With this context, the seemingly jovial tune takes on a much deeper meaning.
14. “I Stand Corrected”
The simpler instrumental track along with Koenig’s intentional inhibition of his vocal range creates a sense of palpable frustration and eventual resignation that is demonstrated within the lyrics.
13. “Ya Hey”
In listening to “Ya Hey”, one hears Koenig’s struggle with faith and explaining his reasons for not being religious. Regardless of whether or not the listener ultimately agrees with his stance, Koenig eloquently puts into words a sense of doubt which many have experienced.
12. “Diane Young”
Exemplified through the play on words that is the title, "Modern Vampires of the City's" first single “Diane Young” contemplates death using an absurdly optimistic tone. The instrumental production is impeccable, but the song’s highlight is the humorously irreverent lyric “Irish and proud baby, naturally / But you got the luck of a Kennedy”.
11. “Giving Up the Gun”
While the lyrics are enjoyable, “Giving Up the Gun”’s strength is primarily in its instrumentals, which somewhat draw from the synth pop genre.
10. “Cousins”
Another very fast-paced Vampire Weekend single, “Cousins” differentiates itself from others through its unique instrumental patterns, especially the way in which it exhibits the talents of drummer Chris Tomson and oft-under appreciated guitarist, producer, and secret weapon of the band, Rostam Batmanglij (who left the group in January 2016).
9. “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"
This soft tune describes the beginning of a possible relationship, and in doing so toys with ideas of innocence.
8. “Step”
A slower and steadier song, “Step” muses about maturity and getting older and takes the listener on a global journey from places from Angkor Wat to Oakland.
7. “Don’t Lie”
"Modern Vampires of the City" is the group’s most contemplative album, and “Don’t Lie” gracefully addresses feelings of existentialist crisis head on.
6. “Everlasting Arms”
Another tune from "Modern Vampires of the City" which addresses ideas of death and religion, the sound of “Everlasting Arms” maintains some ties to the group’s previous albums, most of which were severed in their latest LP.
5. “Campus”
Off their freshman self-titled album, this track perfectly encapsulates the typical college attitude towards relationships with the lyric “How am I supposed to pretend / I never want to see you again?”
4. “Unbelievers”
A song that Koenig has himself described as coming “from a place of frustration or nihilism about the world,” “Unbelievers” offers an upbeat yet cynical look at the presence of various types of faith within the current structures of society.
3. “Oxford Comma”
This song acts as the ultimate dismissal of pretentiousness, rejecting the subject of the song whose “diction [is] dripping with disdain.” Bonus points for the Lil Jon reference.
2. “Walcott”
Delightfully overwhelming instrumentals give this song a sense of urgency, while its lyrics call for the abandonment of one’s comfortable background in favor of seeking something more out of life.
1. “Horchata”
As opening track to Vampire Weekend’s second album, "Contra," “Horchata's" invigorating instrumental elements allows it to establish itself, and thus the entire album, as something more than just a repeat of the sound aesthetics of the group’s first LP.
