Music Review: Vampire Weekend “Cousins”

By our guest blogger, Elizabeth Hughes

Looking back on 2009, one thing is certain--it was a good year for vampires. They grabbed our attention--and kept our anticipation--whether it was swooning middle-school girls (and their mothers) or those gearing up to release their newest album.

Late last year, Vampire Weekend released a single called “Cousins” off their newest album, “Contra,” out January 12. Now, in the past, I’ve heard of Vampire Weekend, but I’d never given them a good listen. I decided to listen to the song.

The first thing I noticed about the song is that it is really, well...good. After the huge auto-tune fad of the past few years, it is unbelievably refreshing to hear a few guys sing and play instruments. As with much of this kind music, it’s supremely underrated. Releasing this song in the depths of winter was brilliant. The song seems to shake the frost off of the icy demeanor of the season and remind us that the days of driving around with the windows down will come again soon. When that day does comes, there will place on the soundtrack for this tune.

The very first time I listened to "Cousins," I was hooked 100% in the first 10 seconds. The guitar riff sucks you in and makes you aware that this song is going to be an experience. The music is amazing--try to imagine a classic rock-themed circus, with a civil war solider on percussion.

The lyrics are witty, which is no surprise coming from a group who call Colombia University their alma mater. Lead singer Ezra Koenig spits out the words in one of the best white boy raps since Bob Dylan did “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” Although I came away from this song with absolutely NO idea what it’s about, I felt oddly content after listening.

The band is great. They are quirky (who isn’t in music these days?) and they’ve got the hipster thing down pat, which is a recipe for success. Overall, it was a great introduction to the band and I think I’ll be keeping a close eye on them in the future.

View the video for Vampire Weekend's "Cousins" below. What are you thoughts?