Every time a new year begins I find it essential to seek out new and different experiences and broaden my horizons to keep life from growing stale. Consider it an annual right of passage. This year I am looking forward to the sea change that will pour over the music scene, as it does every year, and broaden my musical horizons even further. That being said, 2010 introduced Vampire Weekend’s second album, Contra, almost two years after smashing onto the music scene. Outside of my normal, musical comfort zone this record has grown on me immensely in the week since its release.

Contra is an album that doesn’t stray far from the eccentric, multi-cultural influenced conglomeration of sounds Vampire Weekend is known for. Combining calypso, reggae, electronica with a beach-rock flair sounds like an unusual mixture but this album capitalizes on it in grand fashion. These Columbia grads aren’t simply making music for the sake of making music; they are making music smart. Numerous references to The Clash’s 1980 release, Sandinista!, appear on the album and Joe Strummer has been sited as a direct influence for at least on song on Contra. Lead singer/songwriter Ezra Koenig spins yarns of unapologetic ivy-league image driven issues on their self-titled debut, but Contra focuses more on real life experience. His voice is reminiscent of another New York native, Paul Simon, arguably one of the greatest “yarn spinners” in musical history. Musically, tracks “Horchata,” “Holiday” and “Cousins” all retain the reggae/calypso style the band has labeled as their trademark while shaving off any excess melody, keeping the music tight and succinct. The meatier tracks on the album, “Run,” “Giving Up the Gun” and “White Sky” hurl electronic beats layered atop a smattering of orchestral goodies. Despite many of the manufactured sounds on the album, it manages to retain an organic feel and keep a cheery tone. “Diplomats Son” is the most unique track on the album; sampling M.I.A.’s “Hussel” for the beats with a reggae progression both musically and lyrically that would make Bob Marley proud, complete with references to smoking marijuana.

Skeptical of the staying power of Vampire Weekend, any concerns have been laid to rest after listening to Contra. 2010 is looking bright for this Brooklyn based foursome and I am sure they are excited to be on tour again to share their distinct brand of music face to face with the rest of the world.