Vampire Weekend have been letting go dribs and drabs of info on Modern Vampires In The City, their third album, ever since they played the new song “Unbelievers” on Kimmel late last year. And today, we finally get to hear the studio versions of a couple of the songs that are on the album. The band has just shared both sides of their new double A-side single. “Diane Young,” which the band played live this past weekend at SXSW, is so drum-driven and frantic and hyperactive that it defies genre designation, and it has Ezra Koenig trying out a sort of Elvis hiccup. And “Step” is rich and exquisitely orchestrated pseudo-doo-wop. Listen to both below, via a video of a slowly burning car and a lyric video modeled on Woody Allen’s Manhattan.
Modern Vampires Of The City is out 5/7 on XL.
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All-over-the-place in the best way. Glad these guys are back.
And then “Step” is gorgeous. Kudos, gentlemen.
fan-effing-tastic! Can’t wait.
anyone else getting an “Eres Tu” vibe from “Step”?
It actually reminded me of the graduation song by Vitamin C. That might make you think I’m bashing the song, but I actually loved it.
It’s pretty similar. I think that’s because they both sound really similar to “Canon in D.”
I hear “All the Young Dudes” in the verse and “Dear Prudence” in the chorus.
I’m in love.
Holy Shit, “Step”. So good.
ALL OF THIS MUSIC TODAY
http://pitchfork.com/advance/48-comedown-machine/
holy shit, today is wonderful
Diane Young is a little too Footloose for me, but I really dig Step.
Wait… how can something be too Footloose? If anything, everything needs to be more Footloosey.
You make a good point.
Well, these songs are both fantastic. Looks like Vampire Weekend will be 3 for 3 in terms of albums.
Any summer with a new Vampire Weekend album is a good summer. Can’t wait!
It’s the right amount the same ol’ Vamp Weekend and the right amount new experimenting. (Not really a fan of the pitched shifted vocals in “Diane Young” though).
Yes. Definitely. Absolutely, Yes.
baby
baby
baby
baby
Love the nod to Souls of Mischief’s “Step to my Girl” on “Step”.
Diane Young is a strong contender for their best song.
Best dance-punk since LCD, never thought that’d come from these guys.
“Step” is going on repeat today
I feel it in my bones, I feel it in my BoooOOOoonneess.
Best. Vocal. Delivery. On. That. Word.
Good God, “Step” is unfairly good.
Good God, “Step” is just gorgeous. Not much more to add there.
“Diane Young” might require some repeated listens. Thgouh I was a defendant of the vocal manipulation on their last album, the same technique didn’t really work for me on this one.
I’m excited to send these to my mom! She’s a big Vampire Weekend, and I am, too!
These two songs are exceptionally fun/beautiful. And how cool are lyric videos?! Nice to see that becoming a trend.
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Vampire Weekend fan*
Dang.
As a Berkeley resident, “Step” was particularly exciting.
These songs have me extremely excited. Diane Young is probably the least VW-like song VW has ever done, and it’s still pretty great.
Nitpicky typo: It’s “Modern Vampire OF the City.”
*Vampires…damn
lol fail
This sucks….my blood.
Get it? Cause they’re vampires?!?
I’ll show myself out.
gtfo
they’re not vampires man. they’re people. you really think vampires could be out in the day all the time? i’m pretty sure i’ve seen vids of them in the daytime so they def can’t be vampires. bet you think all vamps are like the ones from twilight lol. if they were really vamps they wouldn’t sparkle, they’d die so they’re def not vampires. pretty sure they’re people. i think they just call the band vampire weekend, but I guess it could mean they’re vampires. if they were though, i don’t think they could go out in the daytime though cause vamps usually can’t do that. so pretty much, i don’t really think they are really vampires.
i’m so glad you cleared that up for me rubjon. you have a way of making even complicated subjects like this accessible and sensical.
Seriously though, I’m digging both.
B/W this and the Strokes stream, Spring is looking good.
Love the songs, but the video for Daine Young reminds me a lot of the YYY’s Sacrilege thing.
Oh wow. I’ve been a fan since the beginning, but both of these are better than expected…
“Diane Young” sounds like Buddy Holly on speed. So much fun.
“Step” is making a bid for that pop radio money. Expect it to score heartfelt moments on a dozen or so TV dramas.
wow, I was expecting some annoying pseudo Afropop shit like Horchata or something but the second song is excellent. They learned how to write a great pop tune although I already heard this melody somewhere.
You heard it on “step to my girl” by souls of mischief
cheers
Step is very nice indeed – I like the line “the gloves are off the wisdom teeth are out”
diane young is like wham on acid.
why did they have to set a perfectly good saab 900 on fire?
Just piling on here, but wow on Step. Man, what an f’ing great song.
I’m starting to question my own musical taste because I don’t particularly care for either song. I am clearly in the minority
Question it! It’s impossible to not enjoy this.
I have since changed my mind. Ignore previous comment.
Atta boy.
(Talking about “Diane Young”)
I don’t think I’ve liked a Vampire Weekend song this much since “Walcott”
I love that it’s under 3 minutes, easier to listen to it multiple times on repeat that way.
I never know what Ezra is saying and usually make up my own lyrics to their songs. Like in Kids Dont Stand a Chance I always sing the opening lines as “the devil started backstroking all the way from France.” The first listen to this I was like oh man how cool would it be he said modest mouse at 1:18…then I looked it up ha ha.
Both songs are great, I especially enjoy the name check with modest mouse on step
Amazed by their shift of direction. Don’t you just love good band evolving?
Anyone “surprised” about how amazing Step is hasn’t really been paying attention to these guys. They’re in it for the long haul. Gettin’ real excited for the new album over here.
Have I ever said before how much I love Vampire Weekend? I really love Vampire Weekend.
Beautiful songs; bulletproof aesthetic, per obvs.
Help: I’m hearing Rostam’s voice behind “What you on about?” and “Such a modest mouse.” Is this obvious for all or wrong by me? Vocals pan from slightly left to slightly right for each line.
i love these new songs but i gotta say i liked the fake title of the album (lemon sounds) better