Vampire Weekend's new album comes out next Tuesday.
if you need to. (photo courtesy of XL Records)

Three years ago, Vampire Weekend embraced a self-described 'Upper West Side Soweto' sound that helped to gentrify the hipster movement as much as American Apparel. Their newest release, Contra, available for free streaming on the band's website, moves beyond providing a soundtrack for our youthful Diaspora as we move into the second decade of the 21^st century. Though not as radio friendly as their first album, Contra takes the best of Paul Simon's Graceland period and melds it with the calypso sounds in hits like 'APunk' and 'Oxford Comma.' The result is a peppered Casio keyboard demo of abandon and introspection. It wants to be influenced by the 80s if only it were up to snuff. Wonders on deck include 'Taxi Cab,' 'I Think UR a Contra,' and single 'Horchata.' Contra is a delightful, subdued, and ultimately underwhelming second album, which will serve to stand on its own in the band's long career. The album hits stores January 12, 2010.