THEY’RE. BACK. After six years, Vampire Weekend will release a new album this spring titled Father of the Bride. Two new tracks followed suit — “Harmony Hall” and “2021.” Clad in a simple green snake cover, the tracks are exactly what we’ve been needing from the New York City-based rock band.
It’s no secret that the band has put an exceptional amount of work into their new songs. This latest album will feature 18 tracks that took about 18 months to create. In an interview, lead singer and writer Ezra Koenig describes that “some songs are essays, other songs are haikus,” promising an interesting flow between long and short tracks. The album will revolve around relationships and the stage of the life the band is in now, rather than some of the more youthful vibes from their older works.
Their latest tracks, “Harmony Hall” and “2021” contrast beautifully with one another. “Harmony Hall” is a peppy upbeat tune spanning about five minutes. The song begins with an incredibly catchy guitar riff before Koenig’s distinct voice chimes in. The production takes off from there, due in part to the co-production of ex-member Rostam Batmanglij. Unlike some of their later works, this album is promising more collaboration and inspiration from influences outside of the band. It already features guitarist Dave Longstreth of Dirty Projectors.
“2021” is the little sibling to “Harmony Hall.” Clocking in at only a minute and 38 seconds, the laid-back track is a soothing break from the upbeat “Harmony Hall.” The track was inspired by a sample from the Japanese musician Haruomi Hosono and really shaped the vibe of this song. It’s exciting to see the contrast between these two tracks. Both songs scream Vampire Weekend and promise for a complicated, refreshing new album from the indie group that’s finally returned from the shadows.
