Indie rock’s newest sensation has arrived. With their self-titled debut album, Vampire Weekend have officially cemented themselves as the newest buzz band. Expect hysteria akin to Arcade Fire and The Strokes to ferment in every music related blog you read within the next year or two. I’m not playin’ kiddies, these guys are going to blow the eff up. Thankfully, they deserve every gushing comment out of every keffiyeh-wearing hipster’s mouth. Their mix of Afro-pop and straight-forward garage rock is the most infectious thing to flow out of my speakers in quite a considerable time.
I know this may seem like a little much, but I knew I would love this album 15 seconds into the opening track “Mansford Roof” (I promise I bought it before I read any reviews, so I didn’t have any premonitions). The moment you first hear keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij’s African-influenced pipe-like notes kick off the unfortunately too short 35 minute indie-rock island romp, you’re hooked.
One of the most endearing parts of the album is the lo-fi feel of it. You could swear to God they were playing a few feet away from you in a tiny, hidden, New York coffee shop. The production clearly pays homage to the Afro-pop records the Columbia-educated band draws its influence from.
The New York-based Ivy League preps have a knack for squeaky clean pop, a penchant for Africa, and a desire to share their collegiate musings. Picture The Strokes plus Gilberto Gil with a little taste of Belle & Sebastian, The Clash (“A-Punk”), and The Police and you’re off to a good start. Vampire Weekend is a gust of fresh air to the oft- stale indie rock genre.
