Music is an art, an expression or feeling that is related through vocal and instrumental sounds. Often, a song can evoke a sort of nostalgia, even if it is the first time you are listening to a particular piece. A perfect example of this style is Vampire Weekend’s newest album “Only God Was Above Us.” If readers are unfamiliar with the band, Vampire Weekend is an indie group of four that formed out of New York City in 2006, and their new album draws out the wistfulness associated with their forming era.
The album begins with the song “Ice Cream Piano” that is the musical equivalent of driving with windows down through the country. As elegant and freeing as the intro piece is, the following song “Classical” was teased prior to the album release and features, 90s café jazz highlighted by its prevalent saxophone solos. Even if indie is not your taste, you should consider giving at least this tune a listen while studying.
Next up is the song “Capricorn.” This track is a bit crisp and is reminiscent of a brisk, sunset walk during the fall. The song merges from soft tones to a peppy chorus of violin and crunchy electric guitar that is just chaotic enough to feel calming. If you want a song that encompasses Vampire Weekend’s popular sound, “Capricorn” is the one, as this track sits at second in their list of top songs and has garnered roughly six and a half million streams. For comparison, the average monthly listeners for this band via Spotify is about seven and a half million, meaning that 85 percent of their fans have listened to “Capricorn.”
Succeeding this hit is the track “Connect,” a sharp contrast to the last song with its cool, sorrowful undertones. The piece starts with what sounds like an advanced piano warmup before flowing into pessimistic thoughts that are laced with a grieving of the future. While this one is about searching for connections with people socially and romantically, the main theme points towards the despair that ensues not finding these connections.
“Prep-School Gangsters” is the next track, and the title easily describes the mood the narrator brings forward throughout the song. The lyrics paint the image of living in the early, 90s to 2000s as a wealthy teen who feels entitled to the opportunities they are given and mocks the people that wish to have their life.
Coming next in the lineup of titles on this album is “The Surfer.” This song has a simple message, that one can feel stuck and not good enough no matter where they may be in life. It explains how in this age no one can ever seem to achieve quite what they want or desire and the disappointment that ensues at this realization. The song is characterized by its soft drums and airy piano style that drones on for a minute into the song, an artistic choice that reaffirms the overall emotion of struggling against the weight of life that this piece delivers.
The seventh title on this album starts with a siren-like guitar intro which is appropriate for the track name “Gen-X Cops.” This song was released prior to the album release and the music video is one that is easily identifiable as 1980s themed. As one would guess, this song has a lot of hidden meaning. The overarching idea this track expresses feeling overwhelmed by the history of humankind and our task of attempting to fix all the wrong.
The concurring two tracks, “Mary Boone” and “Pravda,” discuss the depression of the narrator’s friend and the painful truth that the narrator has to accept that they see the world different because of their differing experiences. Finally, the ending song “Hope” is not what you would expect from the title. This track talks with both encouragement and numb recognition. The chorus states, “I hope you let it go” and continues this phrase with lists of good events, but that came about or had poor consequences. An example is America winning the war. The pain associated with a war was overlooked by the fact that America won. This is a good event, but the narrator emphasizes remembrance, the destruction and pain that linger even in presence of good. That hope is beautiful as long as we respect the struggle it took to get to where we are today. Vampire Weekend’s album places this imagery with the listener to conclude their new release.
