Contra | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | January 11, 2010 | |||
Recorded | 2008–2009 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 36:40 | |||
Label | XL | |||
Producer | Rostam Batmanglij | |||
Vampire Weekend chronology | ||||
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Singles from Contra | ||||
Contra is the second studio album by the American rock band Vampire Weekend, produced by band member Rostam Batmanglij and released in January 2010 on XL Recordings. It was preceded by the 2009 singles "Horchata" and "Cousins."
The album received critical praise and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. It was recognized as one of The 100 Best Albums of the Decade So Far by Pitchfork in August 2014. [1]
The release of Contra was announced on September 15, 2009, [2] and was released in the UK on January 11, 2010. It was released in the US on the next day. "Horchata" was released as a free download on October 5, 2009, on the band's website. The first single was "Cousins", accompanied by a 7" single, and a music video. [3] The album was available for streaming on the band's MySpace starting on January 3, 2010. [4] It was also available for streaming from their official website, as of January 5, 2010.
In addition to their established blend of African music influences with indie rock, the album draws from genres such as ska, dancehall, and dance music. [5] It also incorporates the electro-pop and AutoTune found on Batmanglij's Discovery side-project. [6] The Montreal Gazette stated that the album and its predecessor established the band's hybrid worldbeat-pop style. [7] The album has been characterized as pop, [8] [9] [10] "eclectic, intellectual indie rock," [11] and "diffident haute bourgeoisie synth pop." [12] The band made an effort to make their second album a natural expansion on the universe created in their debut album; as a result, Contra covers a far greater gamut of musical influences than their debut album, drawing inspiration from genres such as ska on "Holiday", synth-pop on "Giving Up the Gun", speed rap on "California English" and even rave music on "Run". The production of the album, directed by Rostam Batmanglij, was also different from their former work in that it did not use chamber echo and natural reverb but instead used digital effects to give the album an eighties aesthetic. Other distinguishing features of Contra are the use of backing vocals as textural elements, the debut of Batmanglij as a lead guitarist and more layered drumwork in which fundamental Latin beats are blended with drum machines to create a busier rhythm section. [13]
The album title is intended as a thematic allegory and reference, not to the Nicaraguan counter-revolutionaries, but to the 1987 video game Contra . [14] The title Contra is a Romance language (Latin-based) word meaning "against" or "opposite", and is sometimes given as a one-word interjection, used to indicate objection or opposition to an idea or explanation. Ezra Koenig has stated in multiple interviews that the album contains lyrical themes of opposition consistent with its title, and feels it is important to understand that the word "Contra" is a fundamental concept of conflict, without any implication that one side is right or wrong. The lyrics of Contra are also meant to express a desire to be compassionate even towards people and things one disagrees with. [15] He also states the lyrics of Contra deal with reconciling feeling of privilege and guilt, for which he uses the term "first-world guilt". Contra is considered by critics to be instrumental in cementing the cultural significance of Vampire Weekend first formed with their debut record, as Contra deepens and commits to a general attitude of rejecting traditional notions that rock musicians are poor, underprivileged rebels. Whereas their first album brought to light the prejudices against affluence and wealth in rock music, Contra, even in its title, openly argues this stigma. [16]
The lyrics of "I Think Ur a Contra" include the phrase "Complete Control", the title of a Clash single (notably, an influential 1980 triple album by The Clash was entitled Sandinista! after the socialist militancy opposed by the Contras during the Nicaraguan Contra war). This refers partially to the controversy surrounding their punk roots. The title "Diplomat's Son" is a reference to a story singer Koenig wrote while in college about boarding school, though the content lyrically talks about a relationship told by Rostam Batmanglij. [17] The song also features a vocal sample from M.I.A.'s "Hussel". "Holiday" begins with the opening lyrics of Fairport Convention's 1969 rendition of "Matty Groves".
The cover of Contra features a candid Polaroid of a woman from 1983. The photo was found by Batmanglij while searching "New York City 1983" on Flickr. Lead singer Koenig states that when he first saw the image, he felt he read "some sort of hesitation" in her face, and that the band discussed at length what her possible age or emotional state could be in the photograph, without ever becoming certain of either. Koenig believed that "wrapped up in her expression is this question: 'How is she feeling?'" and that "maybe she wasn't even really sure at the time." [15]
In an interview, Koenig revealed that the woman pictured on the front cover is "now living in Malibu". [15] Koenig has confirmed that the picture was taken in 1983 by photographer Tod Brody and was chosen as a juxtaposition to the debut album's cover which, while taken in 2006, looks as if it "inhabits the same world". [18] Koenig also referred to the woman as "Kirsten" in a post on Twitter. [19] Koenig likens the image to the Rorschach test as multiple meanings can be extrapolated from just a few signifiers, saying, "Some people get very mad when they see a white blonde girl in a Polo shirt." [18]
On July 15, 2010, Vampire Weekend, along with XL Recordings and Brody, were sued by Ann Kirsten Kennis, the woman who identified herself as the woman on the cover, for $2 million for using the photo without her permission. [20] [21] Kennis has said that the photo was taken while she was "a high-fashion model under contract with prestigious agencies in New York City." In addition, Kennis said that the release forms for the photo that were allegedly signed by Kennis herself, were forged. [22] In a statement released by Kennis' lawyer Alan Neigher, Neigher said that Kennis discovered herself on the cover when her daughter brought home a copy of Contra and showed it to Kennis. Neigher also mentioned that Brody did not take the photo and said that it was taken by Kennis' mother. Despite this claim, Brody claims that he took the photo and says that he had the photo for 26 years [23] until Vampire Weekend discovered it on his Flickr page and bought it for five thousand dollars. Kennis' own former agent, Sue Charney, told Vanity Fair , "To me it is very clearly a Polaroid taken at a casting session." [24] Koenig later responded on the matter, saying "this is the first time any of us have ever been sued, so we're still learning how it works." He added, "There's nothing we can say about it. We're not trying to be mysterious. I imagine in the next few months there'll be plenty to talk about. Given it's our first time, we just want to do it properly." [25]
In December 2010, Vampire Weekend filed their own lawsuit against Brody, which argued that he would be liable for any damages Kennis would receive, due to misrepresentation. [26]
On August 15, 2011, it was announced that Kennis had dropped her lawsuit against XL Recordings and Vampire Weekend after they paid Kennis an undisclosed sum. [27] However, the separate lawsuits against Brody from Kennis and Vampire Weekend were not dropped. [27]
The song "Cousins" was used in various media, such as Peter Rabbit , Tony Hawk: Shred , Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 , and The Kids are All Right .
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 7.6/10 [28] |
Metacritic | 81/100 [29] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [30] |
The A.V. Club | A− [6] |
Entertainment Weekly | B+ [31] |
The Guardian | [5] |
Los Angeles Times | [32] |
MSN Music (Consumer Guide) | A [33] |
NME | 8/10 [34] |
Pitchfork | 8.6/10 [35] |
Rolling Stone | [36] |
Spin | 8/10 [37] |
Contra received acclaim from music critics. Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, reported an average score of 81 based on 39 reviews, described as "universal acclaim". [29] Spin 's Jon Dolan wrote that "the balance of classical, rock, and world instrumentation, cagey rhythms, and stunning prettiness isn't just architecturally resplendent, it's reassuringly sweet and strangely moving." [37] AllMusic critic Heather Phares praised the album's "inspired juxtapositions," stating that the band "make Auto-Tune and real live guitars, Mexican drinks, Jamaican riffs and Upper West Side strings belong together." [38] Paul Stokes of NME described Vampire Weekend as "one of the most unique bands on the planet." [34] Dave Simpson of The Guardian stated that the 10 tracks of Contra "will probably be among this year's most played and most joyful tunes." [5] The A.V. Club called it "a career statement, one that’s letting the world know that these Columbia University preps have more than just a fleeting interest in world music," and added that the band "continues to be Talking Heads’ heir apparent, with a good amount of Smiths-like literate pop thrown in." [6]
On December 1, 2010, it was announced that Contra was nominated for a Grammy for "Best Alternative Music Album". [39] Contra was ranked number 6 on Rolling Stone 's list of the 30 Best Albums of 2010. [40] Pitchfork placed it at number 6 on its list "The Top 50 Albums of 2010". [41] Consequence of Sound named it the best album of 2010.
It is the band's first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200, and the 12th independently distributed album in history to reach the number one spot on the Billboard 200 since Nielsen Soundscan began recording data in 1991, while also being the first independent artist to have done so without ever having signed with a major label, after already established rock bands Radiohead and Pearl Jam and before Arcade Fire's The Suburbs . [42] [43] The album sold 124,000 copies in its first week [44] and was awarded Gold by the RIAA on November 21, 2011, which means it has sold over 500,000 units in the US alone. [45] In 2010. It was awarded a diamond certification from the Independent Music Companies Association which indicated sales of at least 250,000 copies throughout Europe. [46]
All lyrics are written by Ezra Koenig, except where noted; all music is composed by Chris Baio, Rostam Batmanglij, Ezra Koenig and Christopher Tomson, except where noted
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Horchata" |
| 3:26 | |
2. | "White Sky" | 2:58 | ||
3. | "Holiday" | 2:18 | ||
4. | "California English" | 2:30 | ||
5. | "Taxi Cab" |
| 3:55 | |
6. | "Run" | 3:52 | ||
7. | "Cousins" | 2:25 | ||
8. | "Giving Up the Gun" | 4:46 | ||
9. | "Diplomat's Son" |
| 6:01 | |
10. | "I Think Ur a Contra" |
| 4:29 | |
Total length: | 36:40 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
11. | "Ottoman" (B-side to "Holiday") | 4:02 |
12. | "Giant" | 2:50 |
Total length: | 43:32 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
13. | "California English, Pt. 2" | 2:57 |
14. | "Cousins" (Toy Selectah Mex-More remix) | 3:20 |
15. | "Contramelt B" | 4:36 |
16. | "White Sky" (Basement Jaxx club mix) | 6:43 |
Total length: | 61:08 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
11. | "Giant" | 2:50 |
Total length: | 39:30 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
12. | "California English, Pt. 2" (B-side to "Cousins") | 2:57 |
Total length: | 42:27 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Contramelt A" | 6:11 |
2. | "Contramelt B" | 4:36 |
3. | "Cousins" (Toy Selectah Mex-More remix) | 3:20 |
Total length: | 14:07 |
Vampire Weekend
Additional musicians
| Production
| Release
|
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [84] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada) [85] | Gold | 40,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [86] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA) [87] | Gold | 541,000 [88] |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Vampire Weekend is an American rock band formed in New York City in 2006 and currently signed to Columbia Records. The band was formed by lead vocalist and guitarist Ezra Koenig, multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij, drummer Chris Tomson, and bassist Chris Baio. Batmanglij departed the group in early 2016 but has continued to occasionally contribute to subsequent albums as a songwriter, producer, and musician.
Vampire Weekend is the debut studio album by American rock band Vampire Weekend, released on January 29, 2008 by XL Recordings. The album was produced by band member Rostam Batmanglij, with mixing assistance from Jeff Curtin and Shane Stoneback. Released after a year of building internet buzz, the album showcased the band's unique hybrid of indie pop, chamber music, and Afropop influences.
Ezra Michael Koenig is an American musician, record producer, and radio personality. He is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of indie rock band Vampire Weekend. Additionally, Koenig is the creator of the Netflix animated comedy series Neo Yokio and also hosts the Apple Music radio talk show Time Crisis with Ezra Koenig. Time Crisis is airing its ninth season, as of 2023.
"A-Punk" is a song by indie rock band Vampire Weekend, released on February 28, 2008, as the second single from their 2008 self-titled debut album. The band made their network television debut by performing "A-Punk" on the Late Show with David Letterman.
"Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" is the fourth single by indie rock band Vampire Weekend, released 18 August 2008. The song was rated 67th best song of 2008 by Rolling Stone magazine.
"Cousins" is the first single from Vampire Weekend's second album Contra. It was recorded by the band in Mexico City and debuted a few days later in Guadalajara. The single was released November 17, 2009 and a 7" was released December 15, 2009.
Christopher William Tomson, commonly known by his initials "CT", is an American singer, songwriter and musician, best known as the drummer for New York–based indie rock band Vampire Weekend. He is also the lead vocalist and guitarist for a side project called Dams of the West, for which he writes and records the entirety of its music.
"Giving Up the Gun" is the second single from Vampire Weekend's second album Contra. The song was originally performed by L'Homme Run, a comedic rap duo that featured Vampire Weekend vocalist Ezra Koenig. The video was released February 19, 2010. Koenig got the idea for the song from Noel Perrin's 1979 book titled Giving Up the Gun given to him by his father. It samples the song "Let Down" by Radiohead.
Rostam Batmanglij, known mononymously as Rostam, is an American record producer, musician, singer, songwriter, and composer. He was a founding member of the band Vampire Weekend, whose first three albums he produced. He has been described by Stereogum as one of the greatest pop and indie-rock producers of his generation. Rostam also works as a solo artist and is a member of electro-soul group Discovery. He produced his first number-one album, Vampire Weekend's Contra, when he was 27 years old.
"Holiday" is a song by American indie rock band Vampire Weekend. It was released as the third single from their album Contra. The video premiered on MTV.com on May 27, 2010. The song was featured in Christmas-themed television advertisements for Tommy Hilfiger and Honda during the 2010 holiday season.
"White Sky" is the fourth single from Vampire Weekend's second album Contra. The single release features three remixes of the song by Basement Jaxx. It is also the first song to be written on Contra, dating back before their debut album was released.
"Run" is a single released by Indie band Vampire Weekend. It is the sixth and final single from their second album Contra, and was released in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2010. There was no music video produced. Lead singer Ezra Koenig said that the song was based on the Bruce Springsteen song, "Born to Run".
Modern Vampires of the City is the third studio album by American indie rock band Vampire Weekend, released on May 14, 2013, by XL Recordings. The group began to write songs for the album during soundchecks on the supporting concert tour for their previous album, 2010's Contra. After a period in which each member explored individual musical projects, they regrouped and continued working on Modern Vampires of the City in 2011. With no deadline in mind, the band brought in an outside record producer for the first time, Ariel Rechtshaid, to record the album.
"Diane Young" is a song by American indie rock band Vampire Weekend, taken from their third studio album Modern Vampires of the City. It was released as the lead single from the album on March 19, 2013. A promotional video of the single, which features two Saab 900s burning throughout the duration of the song, was uploaded to Vevo and YouTube on March 18, 2013. The official video to the single was uploaded on June 3, 2013.
"Ya Hey" is a song by American indie pop band Vampire Weekend, taken from their third studio album Modern Vampires of the City. It was released as the second single from the album on May 3, 2013 through XL Recordings. An official music video of the single, featuring the lyrics, was uploaded on May 3, 2013.
"Unbelievers" is a song by American indie pop band Vampire Weekend. Written by the band's lead singer Ezra Koenig and multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij, and produced by Ariel Rechtshaid and Batmanglij, the song was released as the third single from their third studio album Modern Vampires of the City in August 2013. The band initially premiered "Unbelievers" in a live performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on October 31, 2012. They also performed the song live on an episode of Saturday Night Live prior to it being released as a single.
"Horchata" is a song by American indie rock band Vampire Weekend. Written by the members of the band and produced by band member Rostam Batmanglij, the song was released as the lead single from their second album Contra on October 5, 2009 via XL Recordings. The single was initially released as a free download on the band's web site. The term "horchata" refers to a traditional beverage often made of ground almonds, sesame seeds, or rice.
Half-Light is the debut solo studio album by American musician Rostam, released on September 15, 2017. The album peaked at #6 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, and received generally favorable reviews.
Father of the Bride is the fourth studio album by American indie rock band Vampire Weekend. It was released on May 3, 2019, by Columbia Records, as their first album on a major label.
Only God Was Above Us is the fifth studio album by American indie rock band Vampire Weekend, released on April 5, 2024, through Columbia Records. It marks the third collaboration between the band and their longtime producer Ariel Rechtshaid. It is also the first album recorded by the band as a trio of vocalist-guitarist Ezra Koenig, bassist Chris Baio and drummer Chris Tomson after the 2016 departure of keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij; 2019's Father of the Bride, the first post-Batmanglij Vampire Weekend album, was created and promoted by Koenig as a solo project with Baio and Tomson only involved for the album's tours.