At the time of its release,
Modern Vampires of the City was touted as a "deeper" offering from
Vampire Weekend. Though that downplays the equally heartfelt and clever songs on their first two albums, it's undeniable that
Modern Vampires is less obviously showy than their previous work. Instead of
Contra's bright eclecticism, they opt for a less audacious production style and smaller instrumental palette. Guitar, organ, harpsichord, and the occasional sample combine into a rarefied sound that suggests a more introspective version of their debut, especially on "Obvious Bicycle" and "Young Lion," which bookend the album with some of its most literal and insular chamber pop.
Modern Vampires' quieter approach also showcases what might be most enduring about
Vampire Weekend's music -- endearing melodies and carefully crafted lyrics. It also fits
Ezra Koenig's preoccupations on this set of songs, chief among them the fact that we're all going to die. The band sums up all of this brilliantly on "Step," where the music's hip-hop beats and harpsichords reflect the allusions to
Souls of Mischief and growing pains in
Koenig's lyrics. Elsewhere,
Vampire Weekend tones down the quirks that may have polarized listeners before; songs like "Everlasting Arms" and "Unbelievers" walk the fine line between cheery and grating so well that they could win over those who previously found them too peppy and preppy.
Modern Vampires of the City's political allusions are also subtler than they were on
Contra, where the band brandished them like college students all too willing to display their awareness of current events:
Koenig sounds offhanded when he sings "though we live on the U.S. dollar/We got our own sense of time" on "Hannah Hunt," and even the album's most overtly political song, the darkly verbose "Hudson," adopts a more historical stance as it incorporates everything from 17th century explorers, pre-war apartments, and exclusive New York neighborhoods into its meditations on fate versus free will. However,
Vampire Weekend can't stifle their exuberance completely, and the album's louder moments stand out even more vibrantly against the subdued ones. "Diane Young"'s brash, buzzy mix of doo wop, surf, and punk feels like a nod to
Contra as well as
Billy Joel's "You May Be Right." On "Finger Back,"
Koenig sings "I don't wanna live like this, but I don't wanna die" with so much joy that it celebrates life as much as it contemplates mortality. Ultimately,
Modern Vampires of the City is more thoughtful than dark, balancing its more serious moments with a lighter touch and more confidence than they've shown before. Even if
Koenig and company fear getting old, maturity suits them well. ~ Heather Phares
